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07th Nov 2017

Small Italian team look set to break 87-year-old record held by Manchester United

The only record they'd be happy to let go of

Darragh Berry

We know all too well about Manchester United’s record which they hold for the most league titles in England.

However, there is another record that Manchester United hold and unlike the title triumph, it’s not something that they like to mention at all nor is it something that they are proud of.

They have held the record for 87 years but it looks like it could finally be broken by an Italian team.

In the 1930/31 season, the Red Devils lost 12 of their opening 12 matches in the old First Division and set a record for the worst start to a season by any top-flight football team in Europe’s top five leagues, (England, Spain, Germany, Italy and France).

The number 13 proved to be lucky for United, however, and on 1 November 1930, they beat Birmingham 2-0 at home to put an end to their awful run. But they would only go on to win seven matches that season in total and as a result, were relegated to the second division after finishing last in the table.

But Serie A new boys, Benevento Calcio go into their 13th game of the Italian season having equalled United’s record for worst start to a season.

Losing to Juventus last weekend, Benevento are sitting last in the Serie A table after only being promoted to the top flight of the Italian league this year.

They have conceded 31 goals and scored just five and head into a clash with Sassuolo that, if they lose, will see them break United’s losing streak record.

Sassuolo are just above the relegation zone in the Italian league, so while it’s not impossible for Benevento to snatch a shock victory, Sassuolo have the small advantage of actually managing to register a point this season – eight to be exact.

It’s the only record that United would be happy to let go of.