Chris Hatherall: Fans’ faces paint the picture of Man United’s pain

The pre-match debate was whether top four or a trophy is more important in modern football. Now, with Manchester United guaranteed to go two years without silverware for the first time since 1989, you only have to look at the faces of their distraught fans to know the answer, writes Chris Hatherall.

United’s season unravelled in the wake of an FA Cup defeat against Arsenal, a red card for Angel Di Maria, a terrible backpass from Antonio Valencia and a frantic atmosphere which saw the Gunners win at Old Trafford for the first time in 11 visits and nearly nine years.

So what to make now of Louis van Gaal’s pre-match comments that reaching next year’s Champions League was more important than lifting a trophy?