Manchester United were sent another stark reminder of just how big the gulf is between themselves and arch rivals Manchester City after losing 4-1 at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
United, who are now one place and one point outside of the top-four, were blown away by their cross-city rivals, with two goals each from Kevin De Bruyne and Riyad Mahrez sealing a comfortable win for City. Jadon Sancho did, briefly, bring United level following De Bruyne's early opener, but the Belgian scored again six minutes later to give the home side a 2-1 lead at half-time.
Ralf Rangnick's side failed to lay a glove on City in the second-half and two goals from Mahrez, the second of which came in the final minute of regulation time, condemned United to an embarrassing derby day defeat. It was Rangnick's heaviest defeat since he took charge and once again highlighted United's desperate need for a new permanent boss.
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Although there is a clear need for the club to source a permanent replacement for former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer sooner rather than later, it has become clear that whoever steps into the managerial hot-seat will require time and patience to correct United's woes. Their current troubles are deep-rooted and go well beyond Rangnick's door.
And United's supporters have recognised that. Following the defeat to City, several of them took to social media to share their views on the club's current struggles and what needs to happen this summer.
Below, MEN Sport has taken a close look at what some of them have had to say.
As you can see from the messages displayed in the tweets above, United's supporters are in agreement that a big rebuilding project needs to take place to bring the good times back to Old Trafford. The squad is in desperate need of being strengthened in several areas and numerous players need to be moved on.
Bringing in a new manager should help that course of action take place but he will require assistance from those above him. However, bringing in the right kind of manager will be key to helping United's supporters' wishes possible.
Ajax chief Erik ten Hag and Mauricio Pochettino of Paris Saint-Germain remain the frontrunners to take over at Old Trafford and support for Ten Hag from the fans has been well documented. However, if United fail to get their house in order and set out a clear blueprint that Ten Hag could follow, it may prove impossible to poach the Dutchman from his homeland.
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