Manchester United supporters didn't need to be reminded, but the weekend setback at Arsenal served as yet another indication that the club Erik ten Hag inherits will not be competing in the Champions League next season, as previously stated. The top four teams in the Premier League will be guaranteed a place in Europe's premier club competition next season.

There isn't a shred of evidence to imply that United has been one of those during this campaign. As a result, United may well be forced to deal with the gruesome reality of Thursday night European football as well as a draining schedule that will push their squad to its limits throughout the course of the next season.

On Saturday at the Emirates, it was evident that United were just going through the motions as they await the finish of the season; but, a select handful might and should see these final four games as the beginning of their campaigns. After a sluggish start to the season, United's performance was devoid of passion and pride, and it appears certain that the same dreadful displays will be repeated in the last weeks of the campaign unless there is a resurgence of fire and drive.

It can be a lazy argument to suggest that a team should insert youth players into the lineup in order to generate a response, but in the case of Manchester United, it is a valid argument at the moment, and one that is further bolstered by the exciting crop of youngsters who are waiting for an opportunity to showcase their abilities.

While the season has been a disappointment at the senior level, there has at least been reason for supporters to be proud of the academy. As previously stated, United will play in their first FA Youth Cup final in 11 years when they take on Nottingham Forest next month, and the team has impressed since winning their Youth League group late last year. A fourth-place finish for the U23 and U18 teams would be welcomed by the senior team right now.

United are also interested in bringing in a new full-back, and once again, a kid might give a solution to their problem. As a result of Alex Telles' latest defensive disaster in the absence of Luke Shaw, Alvaro Fernandez, 19 years old, can no longer be avoided. He has been a standout performer for the young squad all season and cannot be ignored any longer.

There is no assurance that Fernandez will be any better than Telles at the defensive end of the field, however. After all is said and done, he requires the opportunity to demonstrate that he might be, and his promotion would be another another silver lining in the dark clouds that currently engulf Old Trafford.

United has a long history of nurturing young players that is unmatched in the world game, but with their season nearly over, there is really no reason not to at least try out a few new faces.

United may have failed to win anything with their young players, but they have also failed to win anything with their veteran stars.