Things need to get worse before they get better at Old Trafford

They thought it was all about to change. They thought a new manager would be the answer. They even brought in a very expensive Angel.

However for Manchester United things are only getting worse. In fact David Moyes is probably waiting for his apology right about now.

After losing 4-0 to MK Dons – making an appearance in the second round of the Capital One Cup even more embarrassing – the Old Trafford faithful are wondering just when things will sort themselves out.

It has become even clearer that there will not be an immediate answer. Even under Moyes it was evident that the problems ran far deeper than the manager and the fans worth their salt knew it. The board knew it and new manager Louis van Gaal knows it.

He might claim that it is not a shock to be knocked out of the league cup. He might claim that it takes a team three months to acclimatise to his methods. He can even claim that he needs new players but the simple fact remains. The fear factor at Old Trafford has gone. Poof, without a trace. United are dire on the road and actually worse at home. Teams no longer fear them or even worry about facing them.

Whereas in times gone past it would be a case of thinking even 1-0 up they would come back in injury time and win 2-1, now you always have a chance of at least a point and more often than not, quite a bit more.

The aura around the club has gone and everyone knows it. Paul Scholes has said it – he fears for what his club might become. Liverpool dominated through the 80s and early 90s and then look what happened to them. Champions League exile and still not a solitary Premier League title to their name.

That decline could happen to any club and it is happening at Old Trafford.

It is not all doom and gloom however. They are rebuilding. They are bringing players in and quality ones at that. Angel Di Maria and Ander Herrera are top players.

The likes of Anderson and Tom Cleverley are not and need to be shown the door. You suspect Van Gaal knows this and is biding his time so not to rock the boat and make too many changes all at once.

This is a long term project and unsurprisingly the Dutchman has hinted it could well be the last of his career. The money is there. The brand name is there and even some of the players are in place.

Yes, a hell of a lot more is needed but United are a great team and whilst the winning mentality may have deserted them momentarily, at heart they are a club who do not give up and one who have a hell of a legacy to protect. And protect it they will. The fans and a certain former manager will demand nothing less.

United fans. How long do you think it will take to come back from the slump you currently find yourselves in? Let us know your thoughts below or tweet us @LaFootyettes.