Ole Gunnar Solskjaer always thought it would come to this: a final-day showdown with Leicester City at the King Power Stadium on Sunday for a place in the Champions League.
A crucial factor is that Manchester United only need one point rather than three to guarantee a seat at European football’s top table.
Depending on Chelsea’s fortunes, defeat for United could mean another season in the Europa League at an overall cost to the club and their players of about £70million.
Even so, Solskjaer says his team will go for victory instead of relying on the fragile security of a draw.