Manchester United fans must accept uncomfortable truth and learn from Liverpool and Man City

The Oxford Dictionary defines 'patience' as the ability to stay calm and accept a delay or something annoying without complaining.

The patience of Manchester United fans has been tested over and over again this season. It has been yet another futile campaign. United's challenge for the Premier League title never began and they find themselves out of all cup competitions in March. That's not what supporters pay their hard-earned money for season tickets for. They expect more from their club than insufferable mediocrity.

Ralf Rangnick will leave his interim position at the end of the season and United's search for a new permanent manager is now well underway. Erik ten Hag, Mauricio Pochettino, Luis Enrique, Julen Lopetegui and Thomas Tuchel are all admired at Old Trafford and Ten Hag interviewed for the position earlier this week. Club sources have indicated they are open to all candidates at this stage.

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Whoever does end up succeeding Rangnick, regardless of their previous achievements, should be prepared for the biggest challenge in their career. United are a colossus that's hopelessly drifting without any purpose or direction. The next manager to arrive at the club will have the responsibility of transforming United and the enormity of that task shouldn't be underestimated.

United have chased immediate success over the last few years with reactionary decisions. While Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's honeymoon period was sensational, it should have been viewed in isolation as just that. Solskjaer was handed the permanent position instead and he was unqualified for the role. There has been an understandable eagerness to secure trophies but it's been