Soccer’s Misery Index – Man United, Barcelona, Derby County and more tales of woe

Sports are cruel. There, we said it. They play with our emotions, mess with our hearts, fill us with joy and smash it just as quickly. Every team has known what it’s like to lose a big game, but how about a full season of losing? How about a decade? How about a lifetime?

There are unhappy fan bases all over soccer, but if your definition of pain is not winning every trophy or getting knocked out of the Champions League in the quarterfinals, think again. You’ve not heard anything yet.

– Bundesliga on ESPN+: Stream LIVE games and replays (U.S. only)
– Stream ESPN FC Daily on ESPN+ (U.S. only)
– ESPN+ viewer’s guide: Bundesliga, Serie A, MLS, FA Cup and more

Last year’s edition of the Misery Index focused on more historical sides with a long string of failure; this time around, ESPN’s writers shine a light on those teams both big and small that are suffering right now, explaining why it’s so tough to be among the faithful.

Jump to: Man United | Barcelona | Norwich City | Juventus | Derby County | FC Cincinnati | Hertha Berlin | Deportivo La Coruna | Schalke | FC Juarez | Oldham Athletic

Manchester United: A super-club left for dust by its rivals

Manchester United are mired in misery right now, but don’t expect anyone to have sympathy for supporters of the most successful team in English football history.

Since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in May 2013, leaving the club as champions, United have failed to even challenge for the Premier League title. They’ve also been unable to finish above neighbours City in any season since Ferguson stepped down; their past success is why nobody will shed a tear for United’s difficulties. But there is a United fans’ banner that might explain why it hurts so much to follow United right now.

Referencing the song “Sit Down” by Mancunian band James, it says, “If I hadn’t seen such riches, I could live with being poor.” And that’s the problem for United in an era that has been dominated by Liverpool and City. The riches of the recent past are becoming…