Ralf Rangnick has told Manchester United fans what they've always wanted to hear

Manchester United are set to match their longest run without silverware in 40 years this season.

That confirms the club's continuous decline towards dark depths. This season was supposed to be the campaign that it all changed. It was supposed to be the season of success. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was relieved of his duties in November instead and United are meandering again. The club is wrestling with its identity as it hopelessly drifts towards yet another year without silverware.

United were knocked out of the Carabao Cup earlier in the season, challenging for the Premier League title was clearly not possible as the months progressed, so success in the FA Cup or the Champions League were the only two remaining avenues for silverware.

The latter seems nothing more than an unreachable dream - that's indicative of the regression over the last decade - and that's why United crashing out of the FA Cup last week hurt so much. There was still hope with United in the FA Cup this season, but that sense of confusing optimism that every supporter possesses relinquished its power as Anthony Elanga's penalty went over the bar.

The 70,000 supporters inside Old Trafford that night left the turnstiles knowing that it was set to be another season without silverware. While they already knew that was inevitable, the truth had now been confirmed. It was difficult to confront.

United could obviously still win the Champions League this term but it would take something of a footballing miracle on current performances. Those that enjoyed Sir Alex Ferguson's reign are now watching a club that is almost unrecognisable.

Ralf Rangnick's interim appointment promised to inject some familiarity back into the club. While that sounds paradoxical