The only time United appeared to exercise any sort of control in the concluding act was when the ball fell to Di María. Then his dashes forward changed the dynamic. Suddenly there was a threat restored to United’s play. In the last minute he showed his colleagues how to see out victory, by sprinting to the corner flag and playing keep-ball with Juan Mata, fending off the close attentions of Phil Jagielka. No wonder questions were asked in the United dressing room after the defeat by Leicester. Why on earth was Di María substituted that day when his pace and direction on the breakaway is the surest way to defend a lead? Here, though, he was on hand to ensure victory.