It was a remarkable few days, for reasons both terrible and transcendent, even if the game itself was relatively forgettable.
As any historically clued-up Red will tell you, when we win European titles, we rarely do it easily. But here, uncharacteristically, was a straightforward victory, orchestrated by the tactical assuredness of Jose Mourinho.
An early goal from Paul Pogba settled any lingering nerves. Another soon after half-time from Henrikh Mkhitaryan extended the comfort.
So precise and scientific was Mourinho's plan – with Marouane Fellaini and Ander Herrera among its most notable administrators – that Ajax were metaphorically sent into a kind of tranquilised reverie.