Manchester United find itself now in an impossible state. There's no hope and no light to look for after their defeat in the Europa League final. This means that they will play no part in Europe. This means an extreme loss in possible revenue. Every fan is outraged and questioning where the club go from here.
Everything that's happened this season can be best described as a culmination of the past dozen years - the length of time that Sir Alex Ferguson has retired. It's a reality check for every fan, regardless of their attitude towards the current downgrading trajectory of the club.
This season has seen them barely escaping relegation. They sit 16th on the log with 39 points - their lowest ever. There was no League or FA Cup triumph to cheer the fans up. The entire season hinged on the Europa League. Winning it would mean playing in the Champions League next season.
By qualifying to play in the Champions League, we would've been able to attract and sign top class players. By not being in Europe, they will most likely have to sign youngsters and essentially become a babysitting club. Simultaneously, other clubs will develop further and Manchester United will fall into obscurity.
United started the season with promise and excitement. They were coming off an FA Cup victory. While there was a search for a new manager during the summer, the board decided to not only stick with Erik Ten Hag but also offered him an extension. There wasn't a strong line of consistent performances. The board felt it was necessary to sack and then replace the manager. United were 13th in the log when this happened.
While the search went on, Ruud van Nistelrooy stepped in on an interim basis. Under his leadership, the side put on a few good performances and was on the receiving end of good results. Ultimately, the board decided to trigger the release clause of Sporting Lisbon's Ruben Amorim. There were high hopes for him to succeed.
However, there wasn't a honeymoon period. The team were putting on a show of good and poor performances. United weren't able to string together back-to-back victories. To date, it's impossible to see the side win a game. I find that embarrassing. As a result, I always fear a loss - which ultimately what happens. I try to stay positive but it's difficult when a form of a self-fulfilling prophecy keeps on getting fulfilled. As a result and as stated above, the Europa League was the last glimmer of light available.
That light has now been burned out and every fan is 'lost'. Despite everything, Ruben Amorim is set to stay. The Glazers and INEOS are, despite possible protests, most likely going to stick around and burn down the club inch by inch. What the future holds is anyone's guess.
Some of the players need to be kicked to the curb. To me, the goalkeepers, Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir need to leave. They are massive liabilities and can't be trusted. They make mistakes that even grassroot goalkeepers wouldn't make.
When I write and think of the result of the final, my mind immediately goes to the end of Marvel's Avengers: Infinity War, where, after Thanos has obliterated half of the population, the Avengers are lost and don't know what to do next. No one can go to Captain America as he, too, is stunned and lost for words.