Liverpool waited 30 years to win a top-flight title before lifting the Premier League in 2020 but despite Manchester United being on their worst trophy run in 40 years, Ralf Rangnick insists the Red Devils will not wait as long as their rivals to be England’s best team again.
The Anfield natives brought the curtain down on a three-decade wait to be crowned the best in England in 2019/20. Liverpool had not sat atop the footballing pyramid since 1990 before Jurgen Klopp brought the trophy to Merseyside, and can clinch another this season.
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Manchester United, meanwhile, have not won the Premier League since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013. The Scot never went more than three seasons without taking a title to Old Trafford. But the Red Devils must wait at least 10, and are without any trophies since 2017.
Jose Mourinho oversaw Manchester United’s last two trophies during the 2016/17 season with EFL Cup and Europa League successes. But as they cannot win any this term, the Red Devils face waiting until February 2023 for their next – their worst drought in 40 years.
Manchester United waited six years between lifting the FA Cup in 1977 and ‘83 for a major title. Yet interim Old Trafford boss Rangnick insists the Red Devils will not repeat Liverpool in waiting 30 years for a league title, as the areas they need to improve in are as clear as day.
“There needs to be a rebuild for the future,” Rangnick said, via quotes by BBC Sport, ahead of Liverpool beating Manchester United 4-0 at Anfield on April 19. “I suppose this [30 years without a league title] will not happen because it is pretty obvious what needs to change.”
Each current Premier League side’s longest active trophy drought
Manchester United’s six-year major trophy drought is by no means the longest active wait a current Premier League side is enduring, though. That honour sits with Brighton & Hove Albion, Brentford, Crystal Palace and Watford as the only teams yet to win one major title.
Watford have three trophies in their cabinet after last winning the third-tier in ‘97/98 and fourth-tier in ‘77/78. Brighton won the last of their non-major titles in 2011 with the third-tier. Crystal Palace won the second-tier in ‘93/94, while Brentford won the fourth-tier in 2009.
Longest active major droughts among trophy-winning English sides
Burnley, meanwhile, are on the longest active drought among English top-flight sides that have won at least one major title. The Clarets clinched the last of their two top-flight titles in 1959/60. The Turf Moor natives also won it in 1920/21 and the FA Cup during 1913/14.
Newcastle United are on the next-longest drought since the 1968/69 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup. The trophy was not organised by UEFA, despite preceding the UEFA Cup, but Fifa view the competition as a major honour. The Magpies also last won a major domestic title in 1955.
Southampton, like Newcastle, last won a major domestic title with the FA Cup in 1975/76. It is the Saints’ only major trophy in the club’s history, with West Ham United on the next-longest drought since their third and most recent FA Cup success in the 1979/80 campaign.
Wolverhampton Wanderers have lifted the top-flight title on three occasions. But their last major success also came in 1979/80 with the EFL Cup. The Molineux natives have not won the FA Cup since their fourth title in 1959/60 or top-flight crown since the 1958/59 season.
Likewise, Norwich City clinched their last major title with the EFL Cup in 1984/85. It is one of the Canaries’ two wins in the competition, along with second and third-tier titles. Leeds United, meanwhile, last touched major silverware with a third top-flight crown in 1991/92.
Everton have won the top-flight on nine occasions and lifted five FA Cups. But the Toffees have not won any since winning the 1994/95 FA Cup. The following season returned Aston Villa’s last major title with the 1981/82 European Cup winners claiming the ‘95/96 EFL Cup.
Longest active droughts since the turn of the millennium
Tottenham Hotspur hold the longest active drought among England’s current 20 top-flight clubs who have won a major trophy since the turn of the millennium. Spurs – an eight-time FA Cup and two-time top-flight champion – clinched their fourth EFL Cup honour in ‘07/08.
Manchester United’s wait for a major honour since the 2016/17 Europa League has them a spot between north London rivals Tottenham and Arsenal. The Gunners won a record 14th FA Cup in 2019/20, but have not won the Premier League since their 13th title in 2003/04.
Leicester City have won the top-flight more recently than the Gunners with success in the 2015/16 campaign. The Foxes have also won an FA Cup more recently after lifting the title in 2020/21. Both titles are the East Midlands natives’ sole honours in either competition.
Manchester City, meanwhile, are the reigning top-flight champions after winning the title in 2020/21. They are now battling Liverpool for the ‘21/22 crown, but are without an FA Cup since ‘18/19. The Reds also ended City’s four-year EFL Cup reign by lifting it this term.
Chelsea have the second-shortest trophy drought of England’s current 20 top-flight sides after winning the 2020/21 Champions League. The Blues beat Manchester City in the final but their drought began by losing to Liverpool in the 2021/22 EFL Cup final on penalties.
The EFL Cup could now form a part of a historic quadruple for Liverpool, who are battling to be the first English side to win all four major trophies. Klopp’s side will face Chelsea in the FA Cup final, are in the Champions League semi-finals and the race for top-flight honours.
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