Crook, 44, says Man United will not win Premier League again

chief football correspondent Alex Crook, who is 44, warned on the latest Fiery Fridays podcast that Manchester United are unlikely to win another Premier League title in his lifetime. He made the comment after United suffered two home defeats in four days, following a 4‑0 Champions League demolition of Azerbaijani minnows FK Sabah.

Two home defeats in four days

United’s first loss was a controversial 1‑0 defeat to ten‑man Manchester City last weekend, leaving the club in 13th place and eight points off the summit. The second setback came mid‑week in the Carabao Cup, where Brighton dumped United out after they squandered a two‑goal lead.

The 4‑0 victory over FK Sabah had briefly lifted supporters’ spirits, but the subsequent home defeats quickly erased any false sense of security. Getty images of the matches circulated widely, underscoring the stark contrast between European dominance and domestic struggles.

Crook’s bleak outlook

“So the realisation for me and my hot take this week, I’m 44 now, probably not going to live until I’m 100, realistically,” Crook began, before adding, “Even if I did, I don’t think United are going to win the title in my lifetime, I don’t think it’s going to happen. United’s last league title came in 2013 and they have come nowhere close to repeating the feat ever since.”

He explained his personal wish to win something significant for his two lads, but concluded, “But I don’t think that’s a realistic ambition anymore, I just think they’re so far behind.” He also criticised the influence of INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe, saying they “make the situation worse in my opinion, and not better.”

“They’ve put people like Jason Wilcox and Omar Berrada in positions that their CVs don’t really warrant,” Crook added, noting that fans now despise the minority owners as much as the Glazers.

Owners and appointments under fire

Crook described the club as “completely broken”, lamenting that “the rot has long set in at Old Trafford”. He reminded listeners that only three managers have ever won the league title at Manchester United and doubted a fourth would ever arrive.

Adrian Durham echoed the gloom, joking, “I think you are going to live forever, Crooky… So, Man United are never going to win the league again.” He highlighted Arsenal’s stability and suggested Manchester City were unlikely to close the gap this season.

Durham summed up the sentiment: “Man United are absolutely miles off it, I make you absolutely right.” The Red Devils’ most recent trophy was the 2024 FA Cup final, and Crook urged fans to cherish the Sabah win as a rare bright spot in an otherwise bleak campaign.