"Next year," comes the defiant reply to the query when there will be a reversal of fortune at Old Trafford, although the immediate smile from former Manchester United stalwart Louis Saha suggests the words are spoken with a tinge of hope.
Dutchman Erik Ten Hag is the fuel to the fiery expectations. Never mind if the Champions League dreams are on the backburner, there's next season to look forward to. "The impact is coming," he stirs the faithfuls shaken by the current deflating results.
"The decision to announce his appointment as manager now was very smart. It will allow the players to plan and think about next year," says the Frenchman who is in India to support United We Play, an initiative by Apollo Tyres and the club, to support young footballers in the country.
"I think it's very exciting, his style of play fits very well with Man United. He has great communication skills, and when you look at his pedigree, you know he is going to bring in a lot of young players. This balance between tactics and instinct will be very important as the club begins its new mission. It is vital to impose his vision as quickly as possible. Pre-season is going to be very important."
There is no substitute for hard work, Saha professes, and all the success stories at United were built on sweat. But apart from Cristiano Ronaldo, no one has been able to go beyond the call of duty this season.
"I'm just like a fan, really excited to see him in the red shirt again. He is unique, a quality player as well as a very obsessed player...he wants to win, he wants to score, wants to improve. He is 37 and still chasing the ball at 99 minutes," the 43-year-old says with a tone of amazement. "But at the same time, you have to have other players to try and challenge him. He is bringing up the standard but he is human, others need to go above their limitations."
Despite speculation around the Portuguese superstar's contract now that the European adventure looks unlikely, and the club's future the focus, Saha believes Ten Hag needs a "warrior" like Ronaldo to charge things up.
