You almost have to hand it to them, Manchester United's ingenuity in reaching new and increasingly perilous depths is unrivalled. If only they were a submarine and not a flailing football club.
There are not many adjectives left that will do justice to Saturday's latest performance as yet another fresh nadir was hit. United travelled to Brighton somewhat buoyed after a spirited draw with Chelsea and a comfortable victory over Brentford and they were facing a side who have struggled on their own patch this season, having won once and scored just 12 times at home.
Yet, Ralf Rangnick's side conspired to concede four to the Seagulls and it only wasn't more because once again an opposing manager opted to take pity rather than really go for the kill. Which in a way is even more embarrassing. United are hardly seen as a scalp for even the smallest teams in the Premier League these days as they lose so often. Another defeat to a team that is better coached than them is hardly a shock.
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But the manner of the defeat certainly was and it proved too much to bear for the ardent away supporters who have, until Saturday, remained loyal and supportive of a team that didn't deserve it. But at the Ammex as the fourth goal went in the camel's back was finally broken. Mass rebellion rained down from the emptying away end.
Those fans who hadn't made an early dart for the train station took aim at the players and did not hold back, "you're not fit to wear the shirt' was bellowed by thousands and it's hard to say they're wrong. The vast majority of United's stars - with Cristiano Ronaldo, David de Gea, Fred and Anthony Elanga perhaps the few exceptions - have been utterly dreadful this season. But not only that, in recent weeks they have given up.
Any fan could excuse a poor game or even a year of them but the lack of fight, passion and effort for the club can not be abided. It's been happening far too much in recent weeks and the players got exactly what they deserved from a braying fan base.
Now Rangnick has just one more match to get through before this miserable campaign can finally be put to bed and he can move upstairs, an away trip to Crystal Palace with nothing much to play for. United have already ensured that this year's points tally will be their worst of the Premier League era and they can't finish higher than sixth. The only thing on the line is securing qualification for the Europa League rather than slipping into the Conference League. But either way, there will be the ignominy of Thursday night football next season.
With the stakes so low for the last match, Rangnick should finally do what fans have been begging for for weeks. Drop the underperforming senior stars and hand several of the club's exciting youngsters a chance.
It still seems unlikely to happen but that hasn't stopped the demands being made. The one cause for pride United have had this season has been the continued quality of the academy. Elanga has been the latest graduate promoted to regular first-team duties and has acquitted himself admirably. Plenty more are knocking on the door, too, and it isn't surprising with the exploits of the youth teams.
United's Under-18s have reached the prestigious FA Youth Cup final for the first time since 2011 this season and it's an accomplishment that's truly appreciated by the supporters. Over 63,000 tickets have already been sold for next week's final at Old Trafford, just proving how much the club's youngsters mean to the fan base.
Alejandro Garncho has been the breakout star, with his five goals and three assists in five matches pivotal in United reaching the final. The thrilling forward was handed his first-team debut as a late substitute vs Chelsea and fans are desperate to see more of him in the senior side.
He isn't alone, though, as Charlie McNeil, Danny Gore, Kobbie Mainoo, Marc Jurado, Joe Hugill and Isak Hansen-Aaroen have all had great years and continue to get better. New arrival Ethan Ennis, who was signed from Liverpool, has also hit the ground running.
Moving up an age group into the Under-23s, Bjorn Hardley, Zidane Iqbal, Noam Emeran, D'Mani Mellor and familiar names Hannibal Mejbri and Alvaro Fernandez have enjoyed good campaigns. Despite all of United's failures on and off the pitch, their conveyor belt of exciting prospects has continued to produce with remarkable efficiency.
It's of little surprise that fans are desperate to see a good number of them handed a chance and, for the final game, Rangnick should finally do so.
With it being the German's last match in charge it would send a powerful message to those players who have continued to put in dismal displays that there is pressure for their spots, especially with a new manager coming in, and allow him to walk away from the hot seat with his head held high. It would be a deserved reward for the players who have actually delivered for the club this season, too, as well as giving them valuable experience and something to strive towards in the off-season.
But, most importantly, it would be galvanising for the fan base. United's supporters have grown weary and frustrated with the apparent lack of care from the senior players and certainly don't seem like they want to see them put in another stinker in the final match of the season. They have lost all patience. However, that would immediately be found again if they have several young lads giving it their all to get behind.
Even if a young side lost to Palace, it would still give a desperately needed shot of optimism.
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