Man United are certain to match their joint-worst top flight finish and the last time that happened they ended the season with a trophy.
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Ferguson watches on at Old Trafford
Ferguson watches on at Old Trafford
Sir Alex Ferguson half-joked that he was "depressed" after Manchester United's latest defeat to West Ham United.
Ferguson, who was in the Old Trafford directors' box for the 2-0 reverse, was asked how he was after the listless performance and provided the one-word answer with a slight chuckle.
Sixteenth-placed United suffered their 17th defeat of the Premier League season to ensure that they will record at least their joint-worst top flight finish of 13th since the club was relegated in 1974.
The last time United came 13th was under Ferguson in 1989-90, a season that was salvaged by the FA Cup triumph over Crystal Palace, their first piece of silverware in five years and first under Ferguson.
That sparked a remarkable golden period of 13 titles, five FA Cups, four League Cups, two European Cups, a European Cup Winners' Cup, a Club World Cup and an Intercontinental Cup over the next 23 years until Ferguson retired in 2013.
United head coach Ruben Amorim said last month that victory in next week's Europa League final would not "save" the club's season amid their awful domestic form.
Ferguson, 83, will step down as a United ambassador after 15 years at the end of the season. The Scot has raked in just over £2million a year from the role.
The United great is still expected to attend games next season. Ferguson has been in attendance for the majority of recent home matches and was also present for the away games against Everton, Tottenham and Liverpool this calendar year.
Ferguson ended a 26-year title drought at United when they became the inaugural Premier League champions in 1993 and the club is certain to go half as long without finishing first come next year.
United have targeted a title victory in 2028, the year of the club's 150th anniversary. Amorim is under contract until 2027 and certain to be under pressure at the start of next term to oversee swift and substantial improvement in the Premier League.
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