United travels to Nottingham Forest on Wednesday for the first leg of the English
“It’s a period when
The late 3-2 loss against Arsenal on Sunday was a blow to United’s unlikely
The defeat left United 11 points behind Arsenal, having played a game more, and now looking at
United’s last trophies came in 2017 when Jose Mourinho’s team lifted the
That never materialized, with Mourinho and then Ole Gunnar Solskjaer fired for failing to add more silverware.
Now Ten Hag is the latest manager to be charged with the responsibility of restoring United to its former glories.
United has won 20 league titles – more than any other English team – three Champions Leagues and a host of other major trophies.
However, its fans have had to watch as fierce rivals
There is growing hope Ten Hag will revive United’s fortunes – but the loss to Arsenal was a reminder that his team is still a work in progress.
After winning three Dutch titles with Ajax, he can get his United career off to a flying start if he lifts a trophy in his first season.
“It was the best feeling what you can have, winning a trophy. I had the luck in my career to win some trophies and it was magnificent, especially for the fans. It’s so great,” he said. “The fans here, they have some experience, especially the older fans.”
United’s fall is nothing compared to Forest, which went from being back-to-back European champions in 1979 and ’80 to playing in the third tier of English soccer.
Forest’s return to the
Staying up was the main ambition for the midlands club, but a Wembley final is now in sight if it can beat United over two legs.
Forest has won the trophy on four occasions and most recently in 1990.
“I’ve said from the moment I walked in (in
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