As the Europa League’s quarter-final return match approaches against Olympique Lyonnais, former iconic Manchester United figures express serious concern about the current situation of the club. The gradual decline, which has seen the Red Devils, historically accustomed to the final stages of the Champions League, fall to 14th place in the Premier League, is seen as a source of major concern. Gary Neville and Roy Keane, key figures in the past, highlight the extent of the sport decline and point to a lack of effectiveness both in terms of the workforce and in the decisions taken by management, pointing to recruitment that is not well suited to the requirements of the Premier League.

Neville and Keane’s analysis converged on a bitter observation: despite the visible commitment of some players, the team struggled to reach its full potential and failed to express the level of play that once characterized Manchester United. Neville was powerless to witness another defeat against Newcastle, illustrating a lack of coherence and a significant gap between the institution’s prestige and the players’ current performance. Keane, for his part, defends Ruben Amorim’s work, considering that he is facing insurmountable difficulties with a group of players whom he considers deeply in deficit.

Faced with this critical situation, Olympique Lyonnais is preparing to face Manchester United in Old Trafford, the theatre of a mythical atmosphere, and in a context where the Red Devils will play what looks like the most crucial match of their season. The stakes for the Mancunians are clear: going back to a difficult season and giving themselves a chance to compete in a European competition next season, an ambition that weighs heavily in the club’s current environment.