‘This is like Christmas all over again!’

It had been a difficult week. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Reds had gone down 3-1 to Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City just three days earlier, but what’s first apparent — as we go through the necessary security checks outside the old United Road stand — is how high spirits are.

Old acquaintances are cheerfully rekindled, as fans whose paths have crossed reconnect. For these fans are the roaring furnace that powers much of our fan base, helping Reds from far-flung fields get to their beloved Old Trafford year after year, rain or shine, in good times and bad. United legend Paddy Crerand is one of them. The Texas Reds greet him instantly, to ask how he’s doing. Now 80 years old, Paddy’s warmly taken by the arm and escorted up the escalators towards the Manchester Suite, where tonight’s event will take place.

‘Hungary Fanatics’, ‘High Peak Reds’… Honolulu was probably in there somewhere too, if you had time to make an exhaustive search.

But with a free bar and buffet, not many took that option. The pints roll in by the bars at either end of the room, as fans check their tables and get to know those they’ll be closely sharing the evening with.