It is 20 months since Sir Jim Ratcliffe bought into Manchester United, 20 months since he borrowed Sir Alex Ferguson's phrase to voice his determination to knock Liverpool off their perch. In the intervening time, meanwhile, Liverpool have drawn level with United by winning a 20th league title. United officially launched Project 21. Liverpool have no such slogan but look likelier to accomplish it sooner.
Like much else Ratcliffe has attempted in his time as United’s co-owner, the aim of catching and surpassing Liverpool has gone horribly wrong. Last season the gap was never bigger; not when they were in the same division, anyway. United ended with 42 points, Liverpool with 84. Twice as good, in some respects. More than, in others, with Liverpool first and United 15th, the Merseyside team losing four league games, their Manchester counterparts 18.
