Manchester United might have finished 22 points behind their city rivals last season but they would have done better in the Champions League than Manchester City.
That is the view of former United star Quinton Fortune, who says the European form of the Premier League champions is a mystery.
City have not won a match and, with two points from four games, look certain to go out in the group stages for the third time since 2011.
“This is their fourth straight season in the Champions League and they don’t seem to have learned anything at all,” Fortune told Goal.
Compared to two other big-spending clubs who have bought their way into Europe’s elite this century – Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain - City have been dreadful.
UEFA award ranking points for wins, draws, and overall performance stage by stage. Chelsea and PSG averaged 24 points per season in their first few Champions League attempts. City will do well to have half as many by the end of this campaign.
“United have not had a great start to the season but in that same group as City they would have done better, for sure,” said Fortune, who is now coaching at Cardiff City.
“City have enough depth in their squad but they haven’t taken advantage of it. It’s hard to explain.
“United’s big plus is their experience. Wayne Rooney is a Champions League winner, so is Michael Carrick, so is Angel Di Maria.
“And the manager knows all about winning the Champions League, too.” Louis van Gaal lifted the trophy as Ajax manager in 1995.
United started slowly when they first qualified for the newly-revamped Champions League in 1993. There were only two groups back then, and two knockout rounds to negotiate.
United were unbeaten but went out on away goals to Galatasaray in the second round. Their second attempt was not much better but in their third try, in 1996-97, they went all the way to the semi-finals where they lost to the eventual champions Borussia Dortmund.
Since then they have won the Champions League twice and been beaten finalists twice. “The Champions League just isn’t the same without United,” said Fortune. “It’s like not having Barcelona or Real Madrid in it.
“It's strange watching it and not seeing Manchester United. The whole world is watching when they play. It brings extra excitement. The sooner they get back the better. The Champions League will be happy to have them back, and I’m sure they’ll finish in the top four and return next season.
“It’s not going to be easy, but United traditionally do well in the second half of the season and with no European games to distract them I can see them going on a very good run. What they need above all is fit players, and they have been very unlucky with injuries.
“Not being in the Champions League will hurt them - hurt the club, hurt every single player.
“They have spent enough, signed enough players. Falcao, [Daley] Blind, [Marcos] Rojo, Di Maria and [Luke] Shaw – they all have enough quality. It’s just a matter of time, and being free of injuries, until it all clicks. We'll see United right back where they belong.
“I don’t think it’s going to be like Liverpool’s run after Christmas last season [15 wins in the second half of the campaign], when they relied so much on Luis Suarez. Liverpool had the benefit of not being in Europe, too. For United it will be a collective effort, the whole team will get them going.”
The bookmakers agree with Fortune, making United 4-6 to finish in the top four. And City’s odds of winning the Champions League this season? 66-1.
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