Its going to be another empty-handed season for Man United.
The Red Devils lost 1-0 to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League last-16 second leg…to exit the tournament 2-1 on aggregate.
Photo via PA
This comes following their elimination from the League Cup in September, as well as last month’s FA Cup.
Even in the Premier League, fourth place appears the best that United can achieve this season, but that, too looks unlikely.
The last piece of silverware they brought back to Old Trafford was the 2017 Europa League title.
This means the Red Devils have now gone five seasons without winning a single trophy, which is their worst drought in 40 years. The last time they had to wait this long for a trophy was all the way back between 1977 and 1983.
Photo via Eurosport
This will be hard to accept for the older United supporters…who will remember how the club never went more than three seasons without winning the league title during Sir Alex Ferguson’s glory days.
Unfortunately, there doesn’t appear to be any light at the end of the tunnel for United just yet.
They face more uncertainty on the managerial front. Ralf Rangnick is set to step down to take on an advisory role in the summer, but his successor has yet to be found.
Even the two main candidates whom United are reportedly considering – PSG’s Mauricio Pochettino and Ajax’s Erik Ten Hag - don’t seem like attractive prospects right now. Like United, both PSG and Ajax also failed to make it into the Champions League quarterfinals.
Then, there is the problem with players.
Photo via Getty Images
Cristiano Ronaldo has repeatedly hinted that he will leave if the club don’t qualify for next season’s Champions League.
There are question marks over Paul Pogba, who has yet to commit to a new contract.
Edinson Cavani is itching for a summer exit after falling down the pecking order.
While Marcus Rashford is reportedly eyeing a future elsewhere, after appearing to grow disillusioned with life at United.
And don’t forget Harry Maguire…who is facing calls from United’s own supporters to be sold as they feel the defender is not up to the club’s standard.
What had been initially planned as a season for rebuilding, has instead seen Manchester United crumble even further.
Photo via Real Talk
Whoever comes in next will have a mammoth task to rebuild the club and re-instil a sense of belief in the team and the supporters.
At the rate they’re going though, it looks like United will have to go through a few more barren seasons before things eventually get better.
By: Aishah Akashah Ahadiat
