‘It’s not good enough’ - David De Gea gives frank assessment of Manchester United’s current issues

David De Gea has described Manchester United’s 2021/22 campaign as ‘another bad year’ for the club, and said competing for merely a top-four spot is simply not good enough.

The Red Devils crashed out of Europe on Tuesday night following a 1-0 Champions League loss to Atletico Madrid, that resulted in the Spanish champions progressing to the quarter-finals with a 2-1 aggregate win.

But it means United’s season will once again end without silverware, the fifth campaign in a row where that has been the case.

To make matters worse, Ralf Rangnick’s side look likely to miss out on the top four with Arsenal in a significantly stronger position in the table, while even Tottenham Hotspur would move above United should they win their games in hand.

It means there’s a real sense of despair creeping in around Old Trafford, which was evident from De Gea’s blunt assessment on Tuesday night.

“We don’t win the game and we are out; another bad year for us. It’s very tough,” said the Spanish international in the post-match press conference.

"Of course it’s not good enough. There are too many years without any trophies, even without fighting for trophies,” he added.

"I think we need to be clear, we want to achieve good things and fight for trophies. We don’t just want to play for the top four and get out of the Champions League in the quarter-finals.

"So we need much more from everyone because this club is too big for where we are now. We are far from the fighting places for the Premier League, for the Champions League, so we need much more from everyone."

De Gea has been at United since the 2011/12 campaign and is one of just two squad members who have won a Premier League title with United.

But the former Atletico man is unsure when the 20-time English champions will again be able to compete for major honours.

“We all want the best for this club,” said De Gea. “Myself, I have been here many years; I love the club. The fans have been amazing again in a difficult season.

“I don’t know when, but I really believe this club is going to be back at the top and fighting for big things.”