The harsh reality for Manchester United is epitomised by David de Gea’s demise.
Once the best keeper in the world, De Gea is now a fading force. After every goal United concede comes the question: was De Gea at fault?
That spotlight is only adding to the pressure. De Gea should have saved Ilkay Gundogan’s second goal and, at his best, arguably would have stopped the first.
United need a new keeper which can be added to the growing to-do list for Erik ten Hag this summer.
His first task must be to discover what direction the club is even going in. The first United caller to the BBC’s Six-O-Six phone-in show after the FA Cup final, was not complaining about the defeat.
The caller was ranting that no United fan wants Jim Ratcliffe to buy his way into the club and share ownership with the Glazers. Anyone willing to work with the Glazers is immediately tainted and weakened in the fans’ eyes. It could quickly turn toxic. This is a club in a mess.
They have a good manager in Ten Hag. They do have a chance to move forward and build on the progress and foundations that he has put together.
But they are in danger of blowing the opportunity. And that sense of a club drifting was so evident in every aspect of their FA Cup final defeat at Wembley.
Ten Hag has done brilliantly because he has hauled the club back into the Champions League, won the Carabao Cup along the way, and done it by putting square pegs in round holes.
There are too many players who are not good enough for United in that line-up. But Ten Hag has found a way. But just look at the bench against City. City have so much depth they could field two top quality starting XIs.
United’s only game-changer on the bench was Alejandro Garnacho, the 18-year-old wonderkid. Yes, they have injuries with Antony and Anthony Martial, but are either of them world beaters?
They are crying out for a new centre forward. But who will fund it? Can they even afford it?
The gulf in class between United and Manchester City at Wembley was glaringly obvious. They have to start bridging the divide this summer. Not allow it to widen.
Ten Hag was asked afterwards if he had two plans this summer, depending on what happens with the ownership. The straight-talking Dutchman insisted he had only one vision.
That vision must include at least three top quality players. A keeper, a centre forward and Mason Mount is a long way down the road.
If they carry on compromising then ten Hag will only be able to take them so far. De Gea may not seem the biggest problem. But in a way, he is. A club like United are used to having the best and they have too many players who are no longer at that level.
