How Man Utd and Chelsea struggle compare to previous Premier League seasons

Manchester United and Chelsea’s dreadful starts to the Premier League season continued as they dropped points again this weekend.

United were well beaten 3-1 by Brighton on Saturday to leave them 13th in the table while Chelsea, held by Bournemouth on Sunday, are one place worse off – and only one ahead of their winless opponents.

Here, the PA news agency looks at the two clubs’ records in their first five games.

Chelsea and Manchester United: fewest points after five Premier League games (graphic)

United have six points from their first five games this season and Chelsea just five, in both cases matching their second-worst record in the Premier League era.

United had only five points at this stage in 2014-15 and six in 2004-05, eventually finishing those seasons in fourth and third place respectively. They had seven in both 2013-14 and 2020-21.

Chelsea’s five points matches their total at this stage from all the way back in 1993-94, which was in keeping with the club’s record in the early days of the Premier League – they had six in both 1992-93 and 1995-96 as well as 2000-01.

17 shots, 10 on target, but no goals on the south coast! #BOUCHE pic.twitter.com/YXdwaBAMUg

— Premier League (@premierleague) September 17, 2023

Since their initial big-money takeover by Roman Abramovich in 2003, the only comparable season is 2015-16 when they followed up their title win the previous season with just four points from their first five games. Jose Mourinho was sacked as manager that December as the Blues eventually finished 10th.

Even last season under Thomas Tuchel, on their way to a 12th-placed finish with a revolving door of managers, Chelsea had seven points at this stage.

United have lost three of their first five games for the first time