We all laughed at Jose Mourinho when he celebrated finishing second with Manchester United as if he had won a trophy.If only we had known.To this day Mourinho counts that Premier League campaign as one of his greatest achievements in management and, as the years wear on, it's becoming alarmingly clear why.In the post Sir Alex Ferguson era, United have lurched from one false dawn to the next, coughing eye-watering amounts of money on foolhardy recruitment policies that have only driven them further into the mire.They've rattled through manager after manager, desperately searching for someone who might just be able to bring back the glories of yesteryear.As of right now, that search goes on.New gaffer Erik ten Hag would ave been under no allusions as to the size of the task that awaited him but, with United now bottom of the Premier League, the mission is frightfully clear.Erik ten hag watches onBRENTFORD, ENGLAND - AUGUST 13: Erik ten Hag, Manager of Manchester United looks dejected during the Premier League match between Brentford FC and Manchester United at Brentford Community Stadium on August 13, 2022 in Brentford, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)They quite simply have been left behind by their rivals with even Tottenham and Arsenal now looking capable of pulling away from them.So where did it all go wrong? Well, it seems that back in 2018, the prophet Mourinho had already seen the cracks, outlining them in a damning interview.Speaking on recruitment policies, Mourinho compared United to their fierce rivals and neighbours Manchester City and it makes for a damning listen.As United struggle to free themselves from the sinking sand, Mourinho's rant has gone viral online yet again. You can check it out in the clip below:

"In the last seven years the worst position of Manchester City in the Premier League was fourth," he began.

"In the last seven years, Manchester City was champions twice and if you want, say three times. They were second twice. That's heritage.

"Do you know what is also heritage? [Nicolas] Otamendi, Kevin De Bruyne, Fernandinho, [David] Silva, [Raheem] Sterling, [Sergio] Aguero. They are investments from the past, not from the last two years."

"United players that left the club last season? See where they play. Where they play, how they play, IF they play."

So what next for United?

Well something simply has to give as the current environment simply isn't sustainable. Fans are falling out of love with the club, Ten Hag hasn't been given the support he deserved and even Cristiano Ronaldo seems to have checked out.

There is a long hill to climb ahead but, if Ten Hag is given time and backing, then it is certainly one that can be conquered.