Disgruntled Manchester United fans currently gnashing their teeth at their team’s lowly league position would do well to look at the plight of AC Milan. Following the sacking of Massimiliano Allegri, one of Europe’s most successful clubs sit 11th in Serie A after winning just two of their previous 10 games. The squad is filled with attacking talent with the likes of Robinho, Mario Balotelli and Stephan El Shaarawy available for selection. Yet even the return of club legend Kaka has so far failed to reignite the club’s season.
It would be easy to suggest that Manchester United and Milan are both experiencing a cyclical malaise that even the world’s biggest clubs go through. However, if that’s true, Milan are much deeper in the mire.
While United have repeatedly been described as a club in ‘crisis’ this season, they are faring far better than the Rossoneri. So far Manchester United have accrued 37 points from a total of 21 league matches, compared to Milan’s paltry total of 22 points from 19 games. The Red Devils sit five points off qualification for next year’s Champions League and retain hope of clawing their way back into contention. In contrast, Milan’s board must have already accepted they will not be in next year’s competition as they lie 20 points adrift of third place at the halfway point of the season.
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