A month is an awfully long time in the world of football - just ask Manchester United.

On March 6, the Red Devils enjoyed arguably their finest night of the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era with that dramatic 3-1 victory against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.

It was a comeback that made everyone believe that United, following six difficult years, were finally back thanks to club legend Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, whose extraordinary start to life as the club’s interim manager after replacing Jose Mourinho in December exceeded all expectations.

But since then, Solskjaer’s side have lost seven of their last nine matches in all competitions.

They’ve only managed to defeat Watford and West Ham over the past seven weeks, losing to Arsenal, Wolves (twice), Barcelona (twice), Everton and Man City.

Now out of the Champions League and facing an uphill battle to secure a top-four finish in the Premier League, it feels like the wheels have well and truly fallen off for Solskjaer, his coaching staff and his players.

Wednesday’s 2-0 defeat against league-leaders City at Old Trafford highlighted the huge gulf in class that currently exists between the two rivals.

It came just three days after the embarrassing 4-0 loss away at Everton - a performance and result that led to Solskjaer apologising to the club’s fans.

The Daily Mail have now revealed details of the fallout from United’s latest defeat.

Ed Woodward, the club’s executive vice-chairman, held ‘crisis talks’ with Solskjaer and assistant Mike Phelan at the club’s training ground on Thursday lunchtime.

The meeting was called to discuss United’s dramatic dip in form, with a top-four finish now in serious jeopardy.

Woodward and his fellow United officials have also been left ‘alarmed’ that the team line-up to face City - particularly Solskjaer’s decision to recall Matteo Darmian in a back-five - was leaked well before kick-off.

One potential explanation for this was Solskjaer’s decision to move training to The Cliff, United’s old training ground, which led to an increased number of photographers turning up - and this subsequently cut short the session.

Paul Pogba, who reportedly wants to talk to Real Madrid over a potential summer move to the Bernabeu, gave a pre-match speech in the dressing room - but it clearly failed to have the desired effect.

The Mail’s report adds that Madrid are ready to use Gareth Bale as bait in a bid to convince United to sell their French World Cup winner.

David de Gea was at fault for both of City’s goals and was said to be ‘close to tears’ after the full-time whistle.

He was only ’slightly better’, the Mail’s report adds, at Carrington on Thursday.

United plan to allow contract talks with the Spain international to continue into next season, despite the fact he could leave Old Trafford on a free transfer next year, but the club may re-consider their position depending on Paris Saint-Germain’s interest.

De Gea could potentially leave United as early as this summer, along with Romelu Lukaku, Alexis Sanchez, Ander Herrera, Juan Mata, Antonio Valencia and Darmian.

Solskjaer is expected to be the manager in charge of this summer’s rebuilding job - although who knows how the club might react if United fail to win their three remaining fixtures against Chelsea, Huddersfield Town and Cardiff City.