The phrase "a devastating setback for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant obstacle or difficulty faced by someone or something, often in a negative context.
Example: "The unexpected loss in the championship was a devastating setback for the team's morale and future prospects."
Alternatives: "a significant blow to" or "a major hindrance for".
The idea of losing De Gea, presumably to Real Madrid, would have represented a devastating setback for United given that we are talking about one of the few players with genuine star quality.
But if the trade pact proceeds without the safe harbor provision, this progress will be jeopardized, a devastating setback for the global effort to reduce tobacco use, particularly because the signatories to the trade pact include nations — like the United States, Australia and Vietnam — that have some of the world's strongest tobacco control measures.
He announced he was writing to Justice Secretary Chris Grayling to request that a public inquiry, which would have powers to consider secret evidence, be held instead But today, in a devastating setback for Mr Litvinenko's widow Marina, he revealed that the Government had refused her impassioned calls for a public inquiry.
In Duluth, for instance, a $3 million investment the city made last summer through Merrill Lynch, which was sold to Bank of America last month, was liquidated and came back last week $2.25 million short — a devastating setback for a city.
This would be a devastating setback for China's leadership and people.
And it counts as a devastating setback for the 24-year-old.
The detection of another large breakaway piece of insulating foam is a potentially devastating setback for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and a bitter counterpoint to the elation of Monday's seemingly perfect launching of the Discovery, a return to flight that was hailed as an inspiring comeback for the space program.
Though Schleck is expected to return to action in time for the Olympic road race July 28, this is a devastating setback in what has already been a disappointing season for the Luxembourger.
For Ms. Zimba, the transition from salaried work to selling goods for pocket change in the market is a devastating setback to a grim fate she thought she had escaped — her mother was widowed when Ms. Zimba was 15 and reduced to selling in the market as well.
Some senior figures at the club were said to be glad to see the back of the player after he had been hit with another ban for taking a bite out of Giorgio Chiellini at the World Cup, but for the majority of Liverpool fans his departure was a devastating setback.
