Nemanja Vidic, heading. Cristiano Ronaldo’s back-heel to Park Ji-sung. Park, across halfway before releasing Wayne Rooney. Rooney controls, another touch, then the crisp, low, centre. Ronaldo — bang — top corner. United have gone from their goalmouth to Arsenal’s in 13 seconds and the ball ripples ­Arsenal’s net.

The looser shirts and more modest haircuts speak of football from a slightly different time, but the footage — from a Champions League semi-final — is only nine years old and yet United might as well be in black and white, because this is United from what now seems a bygone age. Of all the changes post Sir Alex ­Ferguson one of the most disorientating involves a football fundamental. Speed of play. How did Fergie’s flashing, thrilling,