Man Utd in review: ETH repeating worrying cycle as off-field issues continue

Manchester United will head into 2024 the same way they headed into 2023 - with optimism that maybe things could be about to change.

The Red Devils celebrated New Year's Day 2023 as a top four outfit having won both their festive fixtures. Erik ten Hag was showing himself to be a man who was in control and Marcus Rashford was in the midst of breaking Old Trafford scoring records.

On January 14 United claimed bragging rights over Manchester City, securing a controversial derby victory as hope continued to grow. Ten Hag's calls that were subjected to questioning were beginning to pay off. Lisandro Martinez's height didn't stop him looking a classy centre-half, Harry Maguire wasn't missed as he sat on the bench and those citing Casemiro's signing as an error because of his age were looking very foolish.

Gary Neville's confidence was clearly growing as he suggested United would end up finishing above Arsenal. His prediction was off by nine points but it was, yet another, sign of how those in red felt the good times might be returning after a decade away.

What did return after six years was a trophy. Jose Mourinho was mocked as he held up three fingers in the aftermath of United's Europa League success in 2017. It was the Special One acknowledging his haul of three trophies in a season following victories in the Community Shield and the Carabao Cup.

He proved to be the one laughing though as the Red Devils continued to fall short in semi-finals and finals. Six years without any silverware would once have been unthinkable but ending that wait was one of Ten Hag's early jobs ticked off.

United got the chance to celebrate at Wembley, even if it was the season's least sought after trophy. Casemiro and Rashford, two shining lights of