Manchester United’s 2023/24 campaign is finally over. It was a real drag in the last couple months, but now that it is over, there’s almost a feeling of “wish it wasn’t”. After all, the last United game ended with them lifting the FA Cup trophy. Some underdog story, when you think of how many people actually gave United any chance of even making a dent in the Man City armour.

But there’s a reason for United’s jubilation to have come along side a sense of shock. The performance seen last Saturday was a performance not seen anytime before in the season.

And so, as we go into the summer with a heart less heavy that it would have been, let’s remind ourselves why the FA Cup win should not completely mask over how awful United were this season.

A paper over some massive cracks

It’s not easy to forget how devoid of hope the 2021/22 season was. Sure, this season United had their worst league finish, but they still hit 60 points; two years ago, they had amassed 58—their lowest since 2013.

But it came close. Injuries can not be ignored, yes, but they also cannot be used as an excuse for the lack of belief and tactical cohesion United displayed for almost the entire season barring the Saturday affair.

Very few big-name United players showed up throughout the year, the manager’s many quibbles with his players not helping the case either. Were it not for the young boys breaking through, there would hardly have been anything to cheer for.

Make no mistake—quite a few United performances from this season can easily make the all-time “worst United outings ever” list, and they cannot, must not be ignored for the sake of the club’s future.

Conclusion

Speaking of future, there’s a lot of change going forward. A new sporting ownership now presides at the club, hoping to fix both the literal and figurative leaky roofs of the institution.

Erik ten Hag may very well not be the guy taking the United men’s team forward, as we shall find out in the next days. But what has transpired under him in the last two years must not be put aside unexamined.

This was one of United’s worst season. The performances on the pitch were simply not up to the mark, and there won’t always be a cheeky trophy win at the end of the day to allow the team to save face.

Big, sweeping changes are happening. Big, sweeping changes are needed. Until they come about, the club won’t be returning to the top.

More Manchester United News-

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• Teammate replies with viral Bruno Fernandes chant as Manchester United captain celebrates FA Cup win vs Man City

And until we see the performances that would make the United teams of yesteryear proud, celebrations, should they occur at all, will remain hollow.