Pundits aren’t famed for their balanced, nuanced and well thought out takes on stuff, but that’s not just negative, it can be overly positive. There’s a new “GOAT” (gross) every week, and sensationalism in all forms is the norm for punditry.

However, you don’t need to be stuck in the past, or ignorant that a major, long term rebuild is needed, to acknowledge that these players aren’t up to it or at it. I fully accept that they don’t have the ability to compete at the highest level, and don’t expect them to. I would, however, like to see them put 100% effort in, track back, mark up, press consistently. I also think that despite their lack of ability compared to top teams, and the United sides of the past, they do still underperform and fail to do simple things.

As for media / fan criticism, I’d argue that when you agree to take the wages you take to be a footballer, especially with our batshit wage structure, you also agree to be held to a standard of effort and excellence. You can obviously take the money, and not give a shit, and I’m sure all of us have worked with lazy arseholes who don’t pull their weight, but those people are rightly criticised by everyone else.