Gary Neville joked that Soccer Aid is played at a higher intensity than Manchester United's match against Leicester was on Saturday. To be compared to ageing and overweight celebrities should be enough for the club's players to be deeply embarrassed.
United were knocked out of the Champions League by Atletico Madrid before the international break and that defeat officially condemned them to yet another season without silverware. With the club eliminated from all cup competitions, there was one target remaining to salvage an ounce of dignity: to end the campaign strongly to secure Champions League football for next term.
United returned to action against Leicester at the weekend and they couldn't afford to drop points. Arsenal were four points ahead with one game in hand prior to kick-off and that meant United would almost need to be flawless in the coming months.
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This side proved they are hopelessly flawed instead. Their challenge has already proved too much. United stumbled to a 1-1 draw against Leicester at Old Trafford at the weekend and their hopes of finishing in the top four now seem all but gone. Arsenal are three points ahead with two games in hand and United - more importantly - don't look capable of clawing back the deficit.
It's hard to argue that there has been improvement under Ralf Rangnick. United remain dysfunctional, poorly coached and short of determination, the only difference is they're not as porous as they were under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, which isn't exactly an achievement. United kept two clean sheets under Solskjaer this term. They conceded 29 goals in 17 games.
The Leicester result was not surprising but it was the manner of the performance that was most concerning. United lacked intensity and purpose, they looked devoid of creativity and they never really looked like scoring. United's chances all came from Leicester's mistakes. That's quite damning when you consider the attacking talent that was on the pitch.
Paul Pogba's performances for France in the summer were a reminder that he's one of the best midfielders in the world on his day, but those days have been few and far between at Old Trafford. He was unable to influence the game on Saturday.
Pogba was not afraid to answer questions about United across the international break and his comments actually foreshadowed the Leicester draw. "You have to be honest, the last five seasons have not satisfied me – really not at all," Pogba told Le Figaro.
"This year it is dead, we won't win anything. Whether it is with Manchester United or at another club, I want to win trophies."
Pogba labelling the season 'dead' was no help to anyone and it was the wrong thing to say at that moment. While that is obviously how the campaign is viewed by supporters, the players have the responsibility of fighting for Champions League football until it's mathematically impossible. They didn't fight on Saturday and they performed like the season was already done.
United's performance against Leicester suggests that Pogba's 'dead' assessment of the season is likely to be shared in the dressing room. United strolled around the pitch like it was a dead rubber fixture. That's problematic and just unacceptable.
Pogba's comments could have been taken at face value if it wasn't for the manner in which United performed on Saturday.
There was a distinct lack of urgency when securing Champions League football was still within their reach. Make no mistake, United are far from out of contention, but their application does not seem good enough, never mind their quality. United fans will learn even more about this set of players against Everton at the end of the week.
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