'In an ideal world, Manchester United would have recorded a rampant victory on the day that the club chose for the announcement of a hefty rise in ticket prices at Old Trafford next season.
Some supporters will be forced to deal with a rise of almost 25 per cent if they wish to renew their season tickets, so it was hardly difficult to gauge the mood of discontent as United's faint championship hopes were finally extinguished by Blackburn.
"No Customers, No Profit," proclaimed one banner draped across the Stretford End, but price increases were merely the thin end of the wedge for many United supporters after Sir Alex Ferguson's team played out their fifth 0-0 stalemate at Old Trafford this season. Interviewed by United's own television channel, MUTV, as they left the ground, the summation offered by most supporters was that their team lacked "passion, hunger and drive".
Even manager Ferguson was singled out for a rare dose of criticism from the terraces when his decision to leave fans favourite Alan Smith on the bench for the first hour was greeted with chants of: "All we are saying is give Smith a chance." Three minutes later, Smith was thrown on to replace the anonymous Ruud van Nistelrooy.
Restless supporters, insipid performances and chief executive David Gill's recent admission that Ferguson is 'sackable' all suggest that something is not quite right at Old Trafford.
United's lack of attacking potency is fast becoming a cause for concern within the squad.
Defender John O'Shea said: "It is a bit of a worry. The goals scored column has not been very high this season and that isn't normal for Manchester United. It's something that we are going to have to work on, but with the talent that we have, we should be scoring a lot more goals."