David De Gea believes Manchester United are 'cursed' and admits he's at a loss to explain why the Red Devils have fallen so far behind their main rivals.
The Spaniard won the Premier League in his second season at Old Trafford, before lifting the FA Cup in 2016 and both the League Cup and Europa League in 2017 respectively.
The latter remains United's most recent piece of silverware, a drought which is likely to be extended this season as the Champions League is the only realistic chance of trophy left for Ralf Rangnick's men.
Going five years without a trophy would be United's worst run since they finished empty handed every season between 1969 and 1976 - save from winning the old Division Two in 1975.
Since Sir Alex Ferguson retired at the end of 2013, United have churned through four different managers but have only seldom threatened to reclaim their role as the dominant force in English football despite spending almost £1billion on players.
'I think someone has put a curse on us or something,' De Gea said in an interview with Spanish outlet El Pais.
'The truth is I don't know what's going on, I really don't.
'People always ask me and we talk about it as team-mates and we just say "we don't know what's happening".
'We should have competed for more trophies, bigger titles, but I just don't know why this team doesn't function.'
Rangnick replaced Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in November and will remain in charge until the end of the season, but his arrival has not produced the new manager bounce some expected.
While United have lost just once under the German's stewardship, they were knocked out of the FA Cup last week and dropped points from winning positions against Aston Villa and Burnley.
Off the pitch, Rangnick has reportedly struggled to win over some of his players, who are reportedly are vexed by the German's training and puzzled as to why his assistant Chris Armas leads most of the sessions.
According to ESPN, the latter has reportedly been compared to Ted Lasso - the protagonist in the Apple TV+ series where an American college football coach is hired to manage a Premier League side, after only having experience in American football.
Patience is also growing thin among fans, who are increasingly fed-up with the behaviour of some of the players, whom they believe were over-indulged by Solskjaer and have under-delivered for years.
De Gea is among the few who has remained remarkably consisted and was named the Premier League Player of the Month for January.
With 84 saves, the Spaniard leads the league in saves - 13 more of his closest rival, Illan Meslier of Leeds - but United have the second-worst defensive record of any of the top 10 clubs in the Premier League after conceding 31 goals in 23 games.
United have kept three clean sheets in eight league games since Rangnick took over, but De Gea admitted the Red Devils were still too easy to play through.
'I don't know if that's a good thing [the saves stat],' he explained.
'Teams create a lot of chances against us. But that's what I'm here for: trying to stop goals, help the team however I can and this year things are going well in that regard.
'Rangnick wants us to be intense, to always press and be on the front foot.'
The Spaniard, who missed the crucial penalty as United lost the Europa League final against Villarreal last May, believes United can still finish the season on a high and urged his teammates to rally behind the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Portuguese star returned to Old Trafford in the summer 12 years after leaving for Real Madrid and while his impact has fizzled out of late, De Gea maintains the five-time Ballon d'Or winner remains a huge influence in the dressing room.
'Even just seeing him walk through the door gives you a desire to show you're at his level,' he explained.
'He works so hard and is very demanding of himself. I think he's a bit calmer than before, but he is a machine. That's good for all the lads to see, because it shows how you need to look after yourself to have many years at the top level.'
EmileeSevunKolor
151
Until you guys return all the stolen trophies during Ferguson's era and confess, this is just the beginning.😹
Kingston86
56
It's called karma, after you were rigging the league with Alex Ferguson through referees. Now that all other clubs have the finance to purchase good players and lesser aids from referees you have been exposed your true strength can clearly be seen. U haven't complain yet, wait until you see yourself battling with Aston Villa, Brighton, Newcastle United and others just to stay in the Premier League
whykallar
24
De Gea you are one of the curses behind Man Utd., because you help fuel the departure of the special one Jose Mourinho, that help to win some of the biggest trophies in England, and Europe if i may say, imagine winning FA Cup and Europa, now he's gone and all you players are still there and yet to win a single trophy, shamevon you.
Tehabcdmnu
8
Until you guys return all the stolen trophies during Ferguson's era and confess, this is just the beginning.😹
This is so true no joke about it, they used to cheat for Man Utd doing Sir. Alex era, but soon Chelsea’s owner the Russian arrived and brought in the special one Jose, Sir. Alex send in his resignation as he saw a billionaire coming in to compete 😂😂😂