Manchester United legends Ryan Giggs and Nicky Butt have cast serious doubts over the club's chances of surging back to glory any time in the near future. With United languishing in 13th spot in the Premier League standings, the Europa League remains their sole chance at redemption in what is turning out to be their bleakest season in modern history. Since Sir Alex Ferguson's departure, over £1billion has been lavishly spent on new signings, yet the club seems more distant than ever from challenging for top honours.
Having broken a 26-year title drought with Ferguson’s first of 13 Premier League triumphs in 1993, both Giggs and Butt are wary of another extended period before United can reclaim the tag of champions. Butt was blunt in describing the current campaign as a "disaster", while Giggs pointed out that a decade of consistently poor decisions has plunged the club into its darkest period. “Over recent years, United has looked like it's a plaster on a gaping wound," stated Butt firmly. "It doesn't work."
Giggs said: "I think every single fan – and I'm one – has to understand we're at the bottom of the mountain and there's a massive, massive climb to get up to, probably four or five clubs above them. Not only on the pitch, but off the pitch.
"I would never be naive and say it won't take that long because we're United, because big clubs have had it before, where they've had to wait so long. I hope not, but I wouldn't bet against it.
"There are a lot of things I think they're doing wrong, but we all know that and it's sad to see, because I loved my time at United since I was six years of age and it's not the United I know and loved."
Giggs, the most decorated player in the club's history, concurs with his old pal Butt on the long journey ahead for United before they can grapple once more for the top honours – yet he holds out hope for new manager Ruben Amorim. "I like Ruben, I think he comes across well, but he's got a tough job," Giggs admitted. "I think it's a case of backing him and sticking with him.
"It might be a long time before we bring success back onto the pitch but, from what I've seen so far, I believe he's got a great chance if he is backed, so hopefully he will be. It's such a big club and we had such success for such a long time, you don't believe it can [go wrong], but it does happen.
"It happened to us before we won the league, it happened to Liverpool and football always goes in cycles. But there's a lot of work to be done because of what's happened over the past 10 years or so.
"Recruitment-wise, bad decisions, both on and off the pitch, there's a lot of work to be done. It's not great to see, as someone who was there for so long and also as a fan.
"There's been some harsh words and maybe some truthful words been spoken over the last couple of months by Sir Jim Ratcliffe and by Ruben, with some of the statements he's come out with. He's called a few people out when it's needed.
"Maybe it was needed, we'll have to wait and see. I don't think anyone's got a crystal ball to see what's going to happen in the future and it's going to be really interesting to see how it goes in the next five, 10, 15 years. I don't think Ruben has shirked away and I don't think anyone knew how difficult his job would be until he's actually gone into it. But he's remained positive.
"He's had success, he knows what it takes to win leagues. He's got that charisma, he's got that personality, but he's also got that bit of steel as well and needs to be backed."
Regarding United's ambitious £2billion stadium proposal, Giggs commented: "I think everyone, if it was possible, would like to keep the stadium as it is, like what they've done at Nou Camp, what they've done at the Bernabeu.
"If that isn't feasible, then the next best thing is a new stadium. United has always been at the cutting edge of technology, about having the top facilities, the premier stadium, the best fan experience and we fell behind with that. On the pitch, off the pitch, we fell behind with a lot of things. If it's going to be a new stadium, it needs to be the best and hopefully we get the best players on the pitch as well."
This story originally appeared on the Mirror