The wait for silverware at Old Trafford is set to continue into a fifth season, but Manchester United can take solace from their Champions League silver lining.
Having reached a first-ever final under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the expectation was on United as they tried to reclaim the same Europa League trophy they won in 2017, during Jose Mourinho's tenure.
It wasn't quite meant to be, though, and Solskjaer's side were humbled on penalty kicks by plucky Villarreal.
As a result of that verdict against Spanish opponents at the Gdansk Stadium on Wednesday night, United have been included in Pot 2 ahead of next season's Champions League group stage draw.
Ordinarily, that would see them go up against some of the most-feared teams on the continent.
However, considering how title races played out in France and Spain, for example, it means United won't be paired against Barcelona, Real Madrid or big-spending Paris Saint-Germain, in the first instance anyway.
Of course, they will be pitted against one team from each of the remaining three pots - with Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich, arguably, presenting their toughest possible group stage opponents.
As you would expect from this elite competition, there are plenty of tough games in prospect against sides in Pot 3 and Pot 4, while there are still spots up for grabs on account of further qualification stages.
Here is our rundown of who has qualified for the Champions League group stage in 2021/2022 so far:
UCL 2021/2022: Pot 1
Atletico Madrid - Spain
Manchester City - England
Bayern Munich - Germany
Inter Milan - Italy
Lille - France
Sporting Lisbon - Portugal
Chelsea - England
Villarreal - Spain
UCL 2021/2022: Pot 2
Liverpool - England
Real Madrid - Spain
Barcelona - Spain
Juventus - Italy
Paris Saint-Germain - France
Sevilla - Spain
Manchester United - England
Borussia Dortmund - Germany
UCL 2021/2022: Pot 3
Ajax - Netherlands
RB Leipzig - Germany
Atalanta - Italy
Porto - Portugal
Zenit Saint Petersburg - Russia
UCL 2021/2022: Pot 4
AC Milan - Italy
Wolfsburg - Germany
UCL 2021/2022: Pot TBC
Besiktas - Turkey
Dinamo Kiev - Ukraine
Club Brugge - Belgium
