The idea of a Manchester United player walking down Deansgate or around the Trafford Centre while the club contemplates the unthinkable reality of relegation is almost too difficult to even comprehend now.
United have been through their battles since Sir Alex Ferguson retired, but the fear of failing to even qualify for the Europa League is as bleak as it's got when looking at a league table.
That wasn't the case five decades ago, when within three seasons of Sir Matt Busby retiring the incomprehensible had happened and United had been relegated to the second tier.
These were very different days for footballers, who didn't live in pristine Cheshire villages and private gated communities.
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