After Manchester United's dismal start to the 2019/20 Premier League campaign continued on Sunday, when they slumped to defeat against Newcastle united, the record 20-time champions have now been tipped for a relegation battle by a former English top-flight manager.
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The Red Devils went down by a solitary goal from Newcastle debutant Matty Longstaff to leave the club languishing in 12th position in the league table with just two wins from their opening eight league matches of the campaign.
Following the match, former England manager Sam Allardyce drew comparisons between United's current form and the side of 1974, which was relegated from the top flight.
"They went down (in 1974) with a terrific team on paper," Allardyce told talkSPORT.
"So it isn't beyond the realms of possibility that they (the current side) could catastrophically fall into more problems if confidence goes and injuries stay like they are.
"Players tend not to get as fit as quick as they would do when things are going well, that's an absolute fact.
"There's the disturbance of (Paul) Pogba wanting away, and who will pop up next saying, 'I see this going the wrong way, I want to leave'?"
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Allardyce also highlighted the Manchester club's attacking deficiencies as the root of their problems, and lamented the decision to sell Romelu Lukaku to Inter Milan.
"Manchester United do not have enough goals, and you can see it becoming a struggle," he added.
"Hopefully it's not a struggle down the bottom end, but they're certainly heading that way.
"Ole's got a big job, I know they say it's a rebuilding time and it is a rebuilding time, but you can't get rid of your best goalscorer in the squad and not replace him. That's a huge problem.
"Where are they going to get the top striker that they want?"
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United's next Premier League match is against reigning European champions Liverpool on 20 October.
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