When Wayne Rooney lifted the Europa League trophy aloft in Stockholm on May 24, 2017, even the most pessimistic Manchester United supporter could not have imagined that the club would enter 2023 without having won a trophy since.
But as we prepare to flip over our calendars in just over a fortnight's time and welcome in another New Year, United's pursuit of their latest piece of silverware remains ongoing. The last five years have brought plenty of challenges and obstacles for the Reds, resulting in negative headlines and dark clouds being a permanent fix above Old Trafford.
But following a cultural reset in the summer, inspired by the appointment of Erik ten Hag, there is hope and optimism that 2023 might just be the year when those dark clouds begin to lift, paving the way for brighter skies to generate happier times. Although United are only a few months into the Ten Hag era, significant improvements have been made on the pitch.
