Seven years ago this month David Beckham was putting a green and gold scarf around his neck in front of a delighted Stretford End, Manchester United supporters were scuffling with stewards over protest banners and Old Trafford reverberated to chants demanding that the club’s owners make a hasty exit.
On April 1, following the international break, United will entertain West Bromwich Albion at the same venue. Visitors will do well to spot anything green and gold, while stewards will presumably be more interested in checking for bombs than banners and any anti-Glazer family song would be a surprise.