Leicester City's Festivities Highlight Manchester United's Current Predicament

OLD TRAFFORD, Manchester — Before Manchester United's 1-1 draw with Leicester City on Sunday, there was a palpable sense of excitement around Old Trafford. The occasion had a big-game feel—the kind that has been rare this season.

But in truth, while United were—and still just about are—in with a shout of a UEFA Champions League spot next season, it was a big game because of what was at stake for the visitors rather than the home team. Fourth place is an ignoble goal for the Red Devils. Leicester, on the other hand, had an eye on sporting history.

United fans are used to seeing the Premier League title decided at their home ground—perhaps some of that sense of memory contributed to the buzz around the stadium.

Seeing the Foxes fans celebrating edging closer to their remarkable moment, though, drew stark contrast with United's current predicament.

At his pre-match press conference, United manager Louis van Gaal was asked whether he was embarrassed by the gap between his side and Leicester. He replied: 

"

We are still in the first five, last year we were in the first four, so the difference in points [to Leicester] is not bigger than with Chelsea I believe.

The question for us is to qualify [for the Champions League]. Fourth position is okay, third position then we have reached our aim. But we have of course a final to play in the FA Cup, so we have pluses.

We are more or less in the same position only last year we didn't play so many matches. We have played a lot of matches. I think only Manchester City has played one more and Liverpool probably.

We were one of the latest clubs in three competitions, and in spite of all the injuries we are still there.

I don't think you can say that we haven't played at a certain level. We have played at a certain level and we played fantastic matches, but we have also played lousy matches.

I think every club has played lousy matches, also Leicester City, but they have won their lousy matches.

"

It was a remarkably defensive answer and not atypical for Van Gaal. It is not clear to which competitions he is referring when he describes United being "one of the latest clubs."

The UEFA Europa League round of 16 resulted from a failure to qualify from the Champions League group stage. United's only win in European football's second-tier tournament came at the expense of the team that is fourth in the Danish league, FC Midtjylland.

United made it past one opponent in the Capital One Cup, Ipswich Town of the Championship. And they have not been a genuine contender in the title race since November. Reaching the FA Cup final is the crowning achievement of the season, and for what it is worth, it warrants plenty of celebration.

But all in all, claiming United were seriously battling for silverware on multiple fronts seems wildly inaccurate.

Van Gaal's apparent lack of understanding of why that is not good enough for United fans is clear. He states his case that the Red Devils have somehow not had a disastrous season, but both the club's own recent history and Leicester's remarkable ascent shines an unflattering light on that assertion.

More than any competition, it is the league performance that is so damning. United should not be so far adrift from the title picture this season—certainly not if it was to be considered an improvement on the manager's first campaign in charge.

After the game, Van Gaal cut a pretty despondent figure for much of his press conference, though he raised his spirit a little when said he had told his players this had been one of his side's best performances of the season. 

Initially, that rang a little hollow—another Van Gaal platitude. Then came the realisation that it probably was. But that is not a compliment.

United have so rarely been good to watch this season that a reasonably entertaining 1-1 draw in which they created a few decent chances and kept Leicester's good openings to a minimum probably did make for one of their better days.

Once Van Gaal had left the press conference room at Old Trafford, Claudio Ranieri stepped in, understandably looking much more upbeat. He was asked about upcoming fixtures, specifically the one against Chelsea.

He stressed his desire to keep calm and focused on the next game, contrasting the excitement building around him. "[Leicester] is fireworks; the city is blue, but I want to stay focused."

"

Leicester fans are confident now! @br_uk pic.twitter.com/TVQsQZGFNX

— Paul (@UtdRantcast) May 1, 2016"

The red side of Manchester is setting off no fireworks, even though an FA Cup win would be warmly appreciated. Van Gaal's protestations of progress carry little weight with supporters, who will be glad to see the back of him.

Leicester's celebrations served as both a reminder of better days and how little the Red Devils have enjoyed this season.

Quotations obtained firsthand where not otherwise stated.