The full consequences of Manchester City's cheating between 2008 and 2019 are hard to comprehend. If the club's appeal is unsuccessful, they will almost certainly be hit with some huge sanctions.

City could be stripped of titles, but even if those Premier League trophies were belatedly handed out to the teams who finished second, it wouldn't suddenly make things better. Entire squads, staff and fan bases potentially missed out on that special moment of lifting a title, and a delayed medal is hardly the same as winning the award in real time.

Beyond just trophies, however, there were ramifications for all of Man City's rivals during that era. One former Manchester United manager has even claimed the club's cheating cost him his job.

Louis van Gaal Feels Man City League Finish Was 'Deciding Factor' in His Sacking

Louis van Gaal took charge at Old Trafford in 2014. He replaced David Moyes as the second manager in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era, but lasted just 103 games.

In his debut season, he finished fourth and qualified for the Champions League. In his second campaign, however, the Red Devils came fifth, finishing level on points with Man City, but missing out on the Champions League due to goal difference.

Van Gaal won the FA Cup, but his failure to qualify for Europe's premier club competition appeared to cost him his job. He was sacked just two days after he lifted the iconic English trophy at Wembley.

Speaking to The Athletic, the Dutchman claimed that missing out on the Champions League spot was the “deciding factor” in his sacking. He explained:

“For me, at the time, that (missing out on the Champions League in 2016) was probably the deciding factor in my dismissal from Manchester United and all the consequences and suffering this entailed.”

Now just over a decade on from his Old Trafford exit, even if Man City are hit with the hardest of sanctions, it's far too late to be of any benefit to Van Gaal. Reflecting on that, he added:

“I cannot turn back history now. Not even the English Football Association can (do that).”

And when it came to potential punishments, he refused to offer up any of his own theories, simply saying: “Ultimately, that will have to be decided by the judge.”

Man Utd Estimated to Have Missed Out on £18m Due to City's Rule-Breaking

Beyond just what Van Gaal suffered as his team struggled to compete with Man City in that era, Man Utd as a whole have missed out on a lot. They finished second in the Premier League behind their local rivals in both 2011/12 and 2017/18, as Sir Alex and Jose Mourinho were denied significant silverware with the club.

Financially, there has also been a major loss in potential earnings. It's been reported that the Red Devils have missed out on as much as £18m due to City's rule-breaking. Failing to secure Champions League qualification under Van Gaal, for example, would have seen the club take a hefty financial hit at the time.

It will be fascinating to see if any clubs, or even individuals like Van Gaal, look to sue Man City for lost earnings if the club's appeal is unsuccessful.