It's incredible we have been reduced to one game win merchants.
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So using this analogy, Brighton did us twice this season home and away, what does that say about us and Brighton being better than us? In the grand scheme of things Barca will have a better season than us, they will win the league. Winning any game in a cup competition doesn't mean much if you can't win the main prize at the final. Meaning, winning all games then losing at the final doesn't say much about you. So us eliminating Barca then being eliminated by Sevilla doesn't make United a 'better' team or having a 'better season'.
The main reasons we give, for us not being able to beat Sevilla in 2 legs might be the same reasons Barca fans might say for them not beating United in 2 legs. As you can see, it's a preservation fulfilling narrative for the fans.
Until we win the league, and champions league ( which comes second), remember Liverpool last season, everything else is a smoke screen.
Teams which were in wilderness like AC Milan have won a league title, competing in UCL semifinal, Napoli have won the title competing in UCL quarter finals. Now that's genuine tangible progress. While us United have never been involved in a title race in 10 years but always say we are progressing.
As I said before, Genuine progress will be visible and acceptable by all fans. Ask any City fan or Arsenal fan if they doubt the direction their club is taking ( those teams have won nothing as at now) 99.9% will give you a positive feedback. Ask any AC Milan or Napoli fans they will have positive feedback. Come to United there is always a cloud of doubt, and tellingly we have never competed for a major title in 10 years.
Good football and genuine progress will be rewarded by major titles or competing for the said title. You don't have to win every major titles but you must compete for them.