Manchester United's 10 most embarrassing defeats

In one of the biggest footballing shocks in recent times, Manchester United spurned a 3-1 advantage against promoted Leicester City last weekend, ending up losing the game 5-3. However, this collapse against a spirited Leicester outfit was not their first, as with great success, the club has fallen to the occasional lows. Here are Manchester United's top 10 most embarrassing moments in the Premier League era.

#10 Manchester City 4 - 1 Manchester United (March 2004)

A shock result from 10 years ago during the time when Manchester City weren’t the force that they currently are, Manchester United were taken to the cleaners by the Kevin Keegan-led side in March 2004, as the Citizens claimed a 4-1 victory that proved important for both teams that term.

Having been knocked out of the Champions League only days ago, Manchester United were dealt with a massive blow to their title hopes with the loss, and ended the season in third place. Manchester City, on the other hand, saw their fortunes improve following the victory, and managed to avoid relegation, ending the season in 16th place. Ex-Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler got on the scoresheet that day, as did Jon Macken, Trevor Sinclair and Shaun Wright-Phillips.

#9 Manchester United 0 - 3 York City (September 1995)

Before the Red Devils’ clash against MK Dons earlier this season, Manchester United had been involved in the second round of the League Cup last in 1995, when they faced third division York City. The embarrassment that they faced back then was similar to the 4-0 humbling that they received against MK Dons, as York City managed to score a 3-0 victory against the eventual Premier League and FA Cup winners that season.

The likes of David Beckham, Phil Neville and Ryan Giggs made the United starting lineup against lowly York, but were unable to inspire the favourites, as Paul Barnes and Tony Barras helped the minnows score a famous victory.

#8 Southend United 1 - 0 Manchester United (November 2006)

Manchester United had won the Carling Cup in the 2005-06 season, and were celebrating Sir Alex Ferguson’s 20 years in charge of the club when they faced lowly Southend, a team struggling in the Championship.

However, a brilliant performance on the night against a team that boasted of international stars like Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo helped the Championship side beat the champions and eventually progress to the quarterfinals of the competition. They were relegated that season, but Freddy Eastwood’s freekick saw them claim one of the greatest wins in the club’s history.

#7 Manchester United 0 - 3 Liverpool (March 2014)

It’s true that David Moyes was already struggling to cope with expectations at Old Trafford, but many say that their humiliating home defeat at the hands of bitter rivals Liverpool was the final nail in the coffin for the then-reigning league champions.

Liverpool dominated from start to finish and could have scored many more than the three that they notched, with Steven Gerrard bagging a brace of penalties while missing another. Luis Suarez added a late goal for good measure, and Nemanja Vidic saw red against the Reds for the fourth time in his United career.

#6 MK Dons 4 - 0 Manchester United (August 2014)

Many were optimistic about Louis Van Gaal’s reign as Manchester United manager after the Red Devils’ impressive pre-season performances, but a lacklustre start to the season brought down any such expectations, with a disappointing performance against MK Dons topping off the worries of the United faithful.

Playing in the second round of the Capital One Cup for the first time in 19 years, United were destroyed by a side two divisions below them, even failing to register a shot on target until the 72nd minute against the team who were only founded in 2004, despite having the likes of World Cup stars Javier Hernandez and Danny Welbeck in the starting XI.

#5 Chelsea 5 - 0 Manchester United (October 1999)

Arguably one of Manchester United’s greatest transfer blunders, Massimo Taibi kept making the headlines during his short stint at Old Trafford, with his situation worsened by the fact that the Italian custodian was replacing Peter Schmeichel at the club.

Taibi had another game to forget against Chelsea in the season following United’s treble, as the Blues scored dominated from the first minute till the very last, with Gus Poyet scoring after 28 seconds of the kickoff, one of the league’s fastest ever goals.

#4 Manchester United 1 - 4 Liverpool (March 2009)

In the midst of an intense title race, Manchester United and Liverpool squared up at Old Trafford in March 2009, with many suggesting that the winner would hold the aces in the race to the Premier League crown.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s early goal indicated a Manchester United victory that would help distance themselves from their rivals, but a capitulation thereafter saw Nemanja Vidic sent off, and Liverpool score four. Torres shone in a Liverpool shirt, with Fabio Aurelio and Andrea Dossena scoring memorable goals.

#3 Newcastle United 5 - 0 Manchester United (October 1996)

Despite having a 10-point lead in December 1995, Newcastle United collapsed in the second half of the 1995-96 Premier League season to hand Manchester United the title. However, the Magpies got their revenge in October 1996, handing the Red Devils a 5-0 thrashing at the St. James’ Park.

Darren Peacock, David Ginola, Les Ferdinand, Alan Shearer and Phillipe Albert got on the scoresheet, leaving defending champions more than a little red-faced. That result however did not affect United’s title charge, as they won the league again by 7 points.

#2 Southampton 6 - 3 Manchester United (October 1996)

In quite amazing circumstances, Manchester United were thumped by then-lowly Southampton just six days after their 5-0 drubbing at the hands of Newcastle United, as the Red Devils again crumbled at the hands of Graeme Souness’ young Saints side.

Egil Ostenstad netted a hat-trick and Matt Le Tissier scored a scintillating chipped goal over Peter Schmeichel, with Roy Keane red card adding to United’s away day woes.

#1 Manchester United 1 - 6 Manchester City (October 2011)

Probably the game that most effectively portrayed Manchester City’s elevation from ‘noisy neighbours’ to genuine challengers, the Citizens effected Manchester United’s biggest home defeat for 56 years during a 6-1 mauling, with Sir Alex Ferguson’s side conceding six goals at Old Trafford for the first time since 1930.

City went on to win the title in 2012, with Mario Balotelli’s ‘Why Always Me’ shirt helping the game earn a spot in footballing folklore.