Ruben Amorim didn't hold back in his assessment of Manchester United's performance, labelling them "the worst team maybe in the history of Manchester United" following their defeat to Brighton on Sunday.

Goals from Yankuba Minteh, Kaoru Mitoma and Georginio Rutter rendered Bruno Fernandes' eighth goal of the season a mere consolation as the Seagulls ran out 3-1 winners at Old Trafford.

And after Amorim's bold claim in the aftermath of the defeat, the PA news agency has delved into the stats to see if there's any truth to the United manager's harsh words.

READ MORE: Agent spotted in Manchester as Man United next transfer negotiations ramp up

READ MORE: Ruben Amorim sent brutal Manchester United transfer demand as David de Gea point made

Ancient history

The loss to Brighton marked United's sixth at Old Trafford this season, a figure that hasn't been seen in their first 12 home league games since the 1893-94 season - a season that ended with United, then known as Newton Heath, being relegated after finishing at the very bottom of the First Division.

Despite the grim comparison, it's not all doom and gloom for United's historical record. For instance, during the 1914-15 season - by which time they had adopted the name Manchester United - the team finished 18th out of 20 in the First Division, managing only nine wins from 38 games, a win rate of 24% compared to this season's 32%.

Back when victories were worth two points, they averaged less than a point per game. Even adjusting to the modern three-point system, they would have only achieved an average of 1.03 points per game, whereas this term, so far, they are averaging 1.18.

Throughout their storied history, United have faced top-flight relegation five times, including seasons where they finished rock bottom in both 1921-22 and 1930-31, trailing safety by eight and ten points respectively.

They experienced promotion, relegation and then promotion again in consecutive seasons from 1935 to 1938. Their most recent relegation was in the 1973-74 season when they ended up 21st out of 22 teams.

They had a win rate of 24 per cent and would have averaged exactly one point per game under the three points for a win system. The current 13th place standing of United would be their lowest since the 1989-90 season when they held the same position and averaged 1.26 points per game with a 34 per cent win rate.

Premier League low

If we limit our view to the Premier League era, Amorim's point is valid with United having 26 points from 22 games – eight fewer than at this stage of any previous season since the top flight’s rebranding. They had 34 points in the 2019-20 season but finished strongly to end up in third place on 66 points, making last season their worst of the Premier League era.

With 35 points from 22 games, United finished eighth with 60 before an FA Cup win earned then-manager Erik ten Hag a short-term reprieve. They have finished sixth three times and seventh in the 2013-14 season.

Having won 13 of the first 21 Premier League titles under Sir Alex Ferguson, this will be a 12th year without a league title since the Scottish manager’s retirement – a fact that United, and Amorim, are all too aware of.