Man United's season drifts to tepid conclusion as top-four hopes recede

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If they want to know how big a job it will be to turn Manchester United around, they need to watch a replay of the draw with Leicester City.

This season has become adrift towards the Europa League for the Old United club, and which is being played out by a squad of players seemingly devoid of confidence and belief. Good luck to whoever takes over in the summer, you have got a lot of work to do.

The new manager will probably not have to worry about the European competition for at least a year after another result that sees United slip further away from the top four. It would have been worse if the VAR had ruled out the late James Maddison goal.

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It was a disaster for the home side. Maddison, who was the game's star player and head and shoulders above anyone wearing red, said afterwards that he was disappointed that the game ended with a point.

The day was summed up in the third minute of second-half injury time when a good chance fell to Jadon Sancho at the back post, but he could only shoot against his own leg and out for a goal kick. After Anthony Elanga and Marcus Rashford got in each other's way, another chance went by.

There was nothing to suggest that the team could claw their way into fourth place over the final eight games. With two games in hand, West Ham is three points behind United.

We will try to win as many games as possible. We have an obligation to finish the season on a high note.

The interim manager said that the second half was better than the first because they were struggling to find their rhythm. We had opportunities to score the winning goal.

In the opening 45 minutes of the news conference, there was little evidence to back up the coach's claims that his players are motivated to finish the season well. Without the services of Edinson Cavani, Bruno Fernandes played as a makeshift No. 9 and United offered nothing before half-time.

Three minutes after Iheanacho headed in Maddison's cross, United drew level when Fred shot back off the woodwork.

After that, Schmeichel did not have another chance to make a save and the Foxes were more likely to score a win. Brendan Rodgers and his team have not won any of their last five games against United.

The boss said that it was a good performance, but disappointed to not win. We were very good in large spells of the game.

In December, Rodgers admitted he didn't know what the competition was after his club dropped out of the Europa League. It may be time for United fans to get used to the fact that they will finish fifth.

The bigger danger is that the malaise drags on into next season. The German's rallying cries are not having the desired effect, despite the programme notes urging his players to build momentum when August comes.

Instead, he got more of the same and the game mirrored the one at the end of February. It was hard to believe that United hadn't played in 18 days and that they had a week to prepare for the trip to Goodison.

If not probable, there is faint hope that it is possible to qualify for the league. They have all left after a miserable season.