IT’S THE HOPE THAT GETS YOU

The start of the 2024/2025 season promised so much. Fresh after the victory in the FA Cup, we heard of how Eric Ten Hag was paid a visit in person during his holiday to tell him that he remained our man. What followed was a summer rebuild, with the likes of Matthijs De Ligt, Leny Yoro, and Noussair Mazraoui joining the squad for a new look defence. We added Manuel Ugarte to add some steel to our midfield. And we brought in Joshua Zirkzee to provide some support up front to add more fire power.

Also, we told ourselves that the United squad had finally had the clear-out it needed. The most significant departures were Anthony Martial, Raphael Varane, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, and Scott McTominay. Jadon Sancho went out on loan, and we finalised the departures of Mason Greenwood and Alvaro Fernandez. All of these players were simply not good enough for United.

A real push for the top four finally seemed a possibility.

Alas, it was not to be. Ten Hag was unceremoniously sacked in October with the decline that started the previous season, seemingly picked up pace and United languishing in 14th position in the league.

No matter. We can build from here and move forward with the audacious appointment of Ruben Amorim. He had just orchestrated a massive rebuild of Sporting Lisbon, winning them two league titles in two years. Fans became hopeful as we headed into the second half of the season.

But, alas, it was never to be. United struggled in the league – forget top four, 14th didn’t seem a realistic possibility come Easter. After elimination from the League Cup and the FA Cup, we were hopeful that we could salvage something from the season – the Europa League.

After an eventful quarter-final and a surprisingly easy semi-final, we headed to Bilbao to face a team that hadn’t won anything for 17 years. Surely, our opposition would do a Spurs and let us win a European title? We’d go shoulder to shoulder with Liverpool, who had just won the league. We could salvage something from this of all seasons.

Alas, yet again, it was not to be.

So here we are again. Another summer. Another overhaul of the squad. Another rebuild.

Fans are already abuzz with excitement about the imminent arrival of Cunha. Lists are being drawn up of all the players we could sign. We’re already planning what our starting 11 will look like come the start of the season.

But let us remember we ended the season with Casemiro outshining Ugarte. Maguire emerged as our best central defender, contributing at both ends of the pitch. Both players United wanted to sell last summer.

Meanwhile, Greenwood, Martial and Wan-Bissaka all had good seasons. Alvaro Fernandez had a brilliant season and is heavily linked to Real Madrid. Scott McTominay was voted MVP of the Serie A and won the Serie A title; he scored some crucial goals, including a brilliant goal in their final league game, alongside Lukaku (remember him?).

Transfer activity tends to be judged on footballing ability. But success is less about ability, and more about attitude. I am reminded of Phil Jones recounting his conversation with Sir Alex Ferguson before signing for Old Trafford. At the end of the discussion, Sir Alex Ferguson asked: “Are you a winner, son?”

We need winners. We’ve let too many go. We’ve kept too many who are not winners – too many players who aren’t prepared to take the game by the scruff of the neck and drag the team over the line week in and week out – they would rather moan and shift responsibility to a teammate.

Ruben Amorim was right – a storm did come. It decimated our season and we look a club far removed from the days of Sir Alex Ferguson.

Ruben Amorim reassured us though. He’s told us that the good days are coming. I hope he’s right.

It’s the hope that gets you.