Somewhere in Portugal, Ruben Amorim would have been following events at Old Trafford and praying Sporting Lisbon don’t delay him from becoming Manchester United manager a moment longer.
Much more of this and United could withdraw their contract offer and give the job to Ruud van Nistelrooy instead.
Somewhere in Holland, Erik ten Hag will have been screaming at his TV and wondering just where some of these United players have been hiding all season.
Having struggled to hit the proverbial barn door for so long before the Dutchman’s departure on Monday, United fired four goals before half-time for the first time since 2020 to reach the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup on a rousing opening night for caretaker boss Van Nistelrooy.