I’d be gobsmacked if United won the League again within five years

IT IS already nine years since Manchester United were champions. They had gone 26 years between titles before Sir Alex Ferguson turned things around in 1993 and, given their current state compared to their rivals, they may continue to struggle to win the biggest trophies for another decade.

I’d certainly be surprised to see them win the Premier League before my 50th birthday which is in five years. It will probably be longer than that.

The Liverpool and Manchester City squads are so strong and have players who have got years ahead of them. I don’t think Chelsea will dramatically tail off despite recent events. Newcastle will come on strong.

Yes, I’d be gobsmacked if they are champions before 2027.

Today’s derby at City is interesting because United are such huge underdogs. Sometimes that can help because their players can go out with a bit of freedom, like it’s a free hit. And they have upset the form book at the Etihad before. I remember Paul Pogba and Alexis Sanchez turning it on one year.

Even so, most people won’t give them a cat in hell’s chance. They have quality individuals but their form has been poor this season and if City play anywhere near their best, they will win.

That in turn creates a mountain for United to climb in terms of finishing in the top four. They have played more games than Arsenal and have a tougher run-in than the Gunners.

Even if United sign a couple of top players in the summer, Harry Kane and Declan Rice for example, it won’t be enough to immediately close the gap on City and Liverpool.

United’s issue is a problem of culture within the club as much as individual ability.

A successful team has a winning culture created every day by the manager and his staff. It is about the standards that are set in training, dress codes, timekeeping, eating together. It’s about having an intensity in the workplace where everyone strives for more and is on the same page.

When you see United play, that environment isn’t there. They are already on their third manager this season with a fourth likely to arrive in the summer. Though Kane and Rice are good professionals, they won’t be able to change overall habits right away. It has to be led from the top.

I was at Liverpool when Gerard Houllier made the transition from old-school methods. It felt over the top to start with, no phones, dress codes, meetings, videos, extra training. But it worked over time, helped also by good professionals like Sami Hyypia and Stephane Henchoz coming to the club.

United need a manager with that vision. Even so, because their rivals are so far ahead, it’s going to take years to reach them.