10 Things Man Utd Need To Learn From City & Liverpool

8. Their Champions League Hiatus May Not Be Temporary

Last season, Manchester United finished seventh, missed out on Champions League football for the first time since 1995 and failed to qualify for Europe altogether for the first time in 14 years. The price to pay for a disappointing season under David Moyes will be watching their rivals compete on Tuesday and Wednesday nights next season. As one team tumbled out of the top four, another took their place with Liverpool finishing second and securing Champions League football for the first time since 2009 - and United fans will do well to remember that they could go through a similar wilderness period from European action just as the Reds did. It took Liverpool five seasons to get back into Europe after finishing seventh, sixth, eighth, seventh and finally second in each of their preceding campaigns and it isn't inconceivable that the Red Devils may also suffer an extended absence. Competition for the top four is fierce with Man City at the peak of their powers, Liverpool resurgent and Chelsea and Arsenal both strengthening their squads with the summer acquisitions of Diego Costa and Alexis Sanchez, respectively. Meanwhile, Everton had a strong season in 2013-14 while Tottenham have a new manager in Mauricio Pochettino, who did a fabulous job while at Southampton. If United fans were hoping to see their side march straight back into the Champions League places next season, they only need to look at what happened to Liverpool to know that's far from certain.