Man Utd have deep-rooted problems and there is a sense of apathy among some of their most loyal supporters.

As usual, a banner was unfurled in the Stretford End reading "we'll support you ever more" before Manchester United's game against Bournemouth.

However, even some of the club's most loyal supporters, who have followed United through thick and thin over decades, are beginning to give up, acknowledging United are not the club they fell in love with.

A United fan posted a text message exchange with their father on social media which many will relate to. "None of us are entitled to success, but we are entitled to see a football club functioning," the post said.

"This text is from my 82-year-old dad, who moved to Manchester from Ireland in the 1960s to watch United. 'Rapidly losing interest' he said. It's s*** that this era will be the last he sees."

United have made their worst start to a Premier League season in 40 years, winning just two of 12 in all competitions, and yet there have been objectively worse teams fielded at Old Trafford.

The reason the current plight feels so dark, though, is the widening disconnect between the club's hierarchy and its fans. United's decline began when Sir Alex Ferguson left, with the Glazers making a mess of footballing decisions, but even the American family did not have the gall to increase ticket prices at a time when the product on the pitch had worsened.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe promised to put the "Manchester" back into Manchester United when he acquired a minority stake two years ago, dining out on his Failsworth roots, but he is just as bad as the Glazers.

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Ratcliffe has made just as many egregious decisions, many of which have eroded the club's culture and hit fans' pockets. United were rubbish before Ineos arrived. They are still rubbish today - and charge fans more.

The ticket-touting investigation debacle over the summer was the latest assault on the club's match-going contingent. United have made it seem like they don't want season ticket holders, despite what they insist.

There is a sense of hopelessness among supporters as the club limps from one mistake to another. Michael Carrick's interim stint offered a brief respite, but a dysfunctional club cannot remain serene for long.

United fans are now numb to shocking results. Bournemouth have won 3-0 on three of their last four visits to Old Trafford, and nobody was surprised at the latest defeat, because this is the level the club now operate at.

The issues at the club extend far beyond the dross served up on the pitch on matchdays. United will not get out of their rut until the Glazers and Ratcliffe hand the keys over.

Under the current ownership, there will be flashes of positivity, the odd trophy won and a good season here and there, as United can still spend more than the majority of Premier League teams, but that is their ceiling.

The talk of winning a Premier League title by 2028 is fanciful. Of course, United should be aiming to win the Premier League title, but they spent £148million in the summer window while Tottenham, who finished 14 places below United last season, spent more than double that amount. How are they realistically going to end the drought?

The stadium project is seemingly only going to make things worse. United will have a state-of-the-art arena, but what is the point in having a world-class home if the club are not prepared to sign the best players?

"You can stick your new stadium up your a***," chanted United fans during the Bournemouth defeat on Sunday, along with airing brutal anti-Glazer, anti-Ratcliffe and anti-Wilcox chants.

The fanbase is at breaking point. United chiefs have always believed that Old Trafford would sell out week after week, but when United's most loyal fans are losing love for the club, the end is nigh.