It was quiet at Old Trafford on New Year’s Day 2008 when Manchester United played Birmingham City. United were reigning champions, they would retain the title that season and they would win it the season after, too. They were in the midst of a period of almost unparalleled success. And yet the atmosphere inside the stadium that afternoon was subdued.
Maybe some of the supporters had over-indulged the night before. Maybe they were sated with success. Maybe it was just that the 1-0 victory over Birmingham, who were engaged in a relegation struggle, was not particularly exciting.