Manchester United’s Latest Star-Studded European Failure

Manchester United’s European woes continue as they contemplate another trophyless season.

On Tuesday, United were knocked out of the Champions League Round of 16 after falling to Atletico Madrid 1-0 at Old Trafford — another monumental failure for a club that have doled out $1.8 billion in transfer fees over the past decade, trailing only Chelsea and Manchester City. 

Their current payroll of $229 million features stars like Cristiano Ronaldo, Paul Pogba, Harry Maguire, and Marcus Rashford, but with an interim coach and a string of underwhelming performances, this is not the all-conquering side fans have come to expect.

• The Red Devils haven’t claimed a major trophy since winning the 2017 Europa League, their worst trophy drought in 40 years.
• They haven’t won the UCL since 2008 — and haven’t won a home match in the knockout rounds since 2014.
• United’s 45% win rate across all competitions is their lowest since 1989-90.
• This will be Ronaldo’s first trophyless season in 12 years.

United were bounced from the EFL Cup in the third round in September and crashed out of the FA Cup in the fourth round in February. 

Winning their first Premier League title since 2013 is off the table, and their place in next season’s UCL is up in the air with their fifth-place standing.