Manchester United would have hoped at the start of the season that they would have shown some progression under Louis Van Gaal but it seems more like the Red Devils have taken two steps back.

After returning to the Champions League last year, United have struggled to cement their place in the top-four this season and it looks like they'll miss out come May. Whilst they do still have the FA Cup to fight for, in which they're favourites with the bookies and worth using this promo code on, it's still not looking great for United.

Whether or not Louis Van Gaal remains for next season, United have plenty of lessons to learn and a lot of work to be done over the summer. One positive from the season is that United will know what issues need to be fixed, although that's of little comfort to the passionate supporters.

Looking back though, it's clear to point out where United's worst points have been and these moments stick out like a sore thumb.

Hit the image below to see the FIVE worst moments of United's season!

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Van Gaal

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Early Champions League exit

Man United

Manchester United, a club that have excelled in European football, had to deal with an early exit from this season's Champions League and it was a fairly comfortable group. Whilst Wolfsburg have excelled, PSV Eindhoven and CSKA Moscow should have been easy to get past.

It didn't turn out that way though, as United lost to PSV, then drew the reverse leg before a 3-2 defeat to Wolfsburg in the final group game condemned them to a third-placed finish and an early exit from the tournament.

Liverpool add further European misery

Liverpoolfans

If enduring one exit from European football was bad enough, Manchester United went through it all again in the round of 16 in the Europa League as they were swept aside by arch-rivals Liverpool. Over a poor 120 minutes, United were never really in it.

With Manchester United in a fierce contest for a top-four finish, where they may fail to achieve their aim, an exit from the Europa League may have shattered their hopes of returning to the Champions League again next season.

Eight games without a win

Van Gaal

Over an awful run of form in December, where the pressure upon Louis Van Gaal really started to heat up, Manchester United managed to go eight games without a win. That run of form was when they dropped out of the Champions League and really started to fall adrift in the Premier League.

Losses to Bournemouth, Norwich City and Stoke City over the Christmas period compile the misery upon a hapless Red Devils side- and it's a wonder how Louis Van Gaal actually kept his job, especially as he could remain in his position next season too.

Torn apart by Arsenal

Alexis

Losing to Arsenal is never fun but it's not really usually a defining moment in a season, especially in one as so poor as this one. However, the manner of Manchester United's defeat at the Emirates Stadium in the first-half of the season was seriously shocking.

United found themselves 2-0 down inside seven minutes after Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez struck, before Santi Cazorla put the game beyond doubt with 20 minutes played. Arsenal were cruising and United were shell-shocked.

Shaw's leg break

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Early in the season, Manchester United had a lot to worry about but things took a turn for the worst in their opening Champions League group stage match against PSV Eindhoven, where the Red Devils lost, as Luke Shaw was ruled out for the season.

The England international was subject to a fair challenge, which looked far worse on replays, and ended off being carted off the field. With not even a free-kick given, it showed how random the injury was and how unfortunate Shaw was.