José Mourinho’s Manchester United campaign in 2017/18 remains one of those seasons that can still trigger plenty of debate among football fans. United finished second in the Premier League, their highest league position since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement, but the season is often remembered through the shadow of Manchester City’s extraordinary campaign. 🔴⚔️🔵
And the numbers tell an incredible story.
Manchester City finished the season as champions with 100 points, becoming the first team in Premier League history to reach that mark. They won 32 of their 38 matches, scored 106 goals, conceded just 27 and finished with a staggering +79 goal difference.
Manchester United, meanwhile, finished second with 81 points — 19 points behind City. United’s record was 25 wins, six draws and seven defeats, with a +40 goal difference.
That 81-point total was actually significant for United.
The club itself describes Mourinho’s 2017/18 campaign as United’s best points tally and highest league position since Ferguson’s departure at that time.
So while City were operating at an almost unprecedented level, Mourinho had taken United to second place.
🔥 BUT THERE’S A BIG PROBLEM WITH THE VIRAL IMAGE…
The graphic circulating online appears to suggest that Manchester United finished 1st and Manchester City were somehow removed from the top position.
That is not what happened.
The official Premier League table shows Manchester City in 1st place with 100 points, while Manchester United finished 2nd with 81 points.
So if the image is being used to argue that Mourinho actually won the 2017/18 Premier League title with United, the graphic is misleading.
There is, however, a fascinating story behind that season.
Mourinho had arrived at Old Trafford in 2016 and immediately delivered two trophies in his first campaign, winning the League Cup and Europa League. United then strengthened during the summer of 2017, bringing in Romelu Lukaku, Nemanja Matić and Victor Lindelöf.
Lukaku became the focal point of the attack, scoring 16 Premier League goals, while David de Gea remained one of the most important players in the squad.
United started the 2017/18 league season strongly, winning six of their opening seven matches. Alexis Sánchez was also added during the January transfer window as Mourinho attempted to strengthen his attacking options.
But while United were putting together a strong campaign, City were producing something extraordinary.
Pep Guardiola’s team eventually won the league by 19 points, setting multiple records along the way. They recorded 32 victories and scored 106 goals — both records at the time — while their 100-point haul remains the highest points total in Premier League history.
City had actually secured the title with five matches still remaining after United suffered a shock 1–0 home defeat to West Bromwich Albion in April 2018.
And that is where the debate around Mourinho’s season becomes particularly interesting. 👀
United were not a poor team. They finished second and collected 81 points. But the gap to City was enormous because Guardiola’s side had produced a campaign that was historically dominant.
Mourinho’s United also had some memorable moments.
The 3–2 comeback against Manchester City at the Etihad stands out. City were leading 2–0 at half-time and appeared ready to celebrate the title in front of their neighbours, only for United to turn the match around and win 3–2.
But that comeback only delayed City’s coronation.
A week later, United’s defeat to West Brom handed City the title anyway. 😳
The contrast between the two Manchester clubs was therefore one of the defining stories of the 2017/18 season.
🔴 MANCHESTER UNITED
- 2nd place
- 81 points
- 25 wins
- 6 draws
- 7 defeats
- +40 goal difference
- Romelu Lukaku — 16 league goals
🔵 MANCHESTER CITY
- 1st place
- 100 points
- 32 wins
- 4 draws
- 2 defeats
- +79 goal difference
- 106 goals scored
The final standings therefore leave no ambiguity: City were champions and United were runners-up.
But there is another reason Mourinho’s 2017/18 season continues to be discussed.
It was the last time Manchester United finished as Premier League runners-up during Mourinho’s tenure. The following season began poorly, and Mourinho eventually left the club in December 2018. At the time of his departure, United were sixth after 17 league matches.
That makes the 2017/18 campaign an important chapter in United’s post-Ferguson history.
It was a season of contradiction.
United achieved their highest league finish since Ferguson. They collected 81 points. They reached an FA Cup final. They produced a memorable derby comeback. They had a strong defensive record compared with many of the teams around them.
Yet they were completely overshadowed by a Manchester City side that produced one of the greatest statistical seasons in Premier League history. 🏆🔥
So the viral image may create the impression that Mourinho’s United were actually crowned champions, but the historical record is clear.
Manchester City won the 2017/18 Premier League with 100 points. Manchester United finished second with 81.
And perhaps that is what makes the season so fascinating: Mourinho’s United had a very strong league campaign by normal standards, but Guardiola’s City set the bar at an extraordinary level. 🔴⚔️🔵
19 points separated the two Manchester clubs.
100 points versus 81.
106 goals versus 68.
32 wins versus 25.
One team lifted the trophy.
The other finished second in what remains one of the most dominant Premier League title races ever recorded. 🏆🔥
