United's latest failure to reach the Champions League underlines how far they have fallen, and it is a path their arch-rivals have trodden in the past
Between 1972 and 1990, Liverpool added 11 league titles to their previous haul of seven, finished second six times and fifth once. It felt as though their dominance might never end.
Yet they are two Manchester City victories away from a 29th season without winning English football's ultimate prize.
Compare that with Manchester United, who between 1992 and 2013 added 13 league titles to their previous haul of seven, finished second five times and third three times.