A sense of jubilation filled the air in the away dressing room at Hull City just before 10pm on January 26, 2017. Manchester United had lost 2-1 in the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final but their first defeat in 18 matches was not enough to prevent them from going through. United triumphed 3-2 on aggregate and, for the first time under José Mourinho, they were off to a Wembley final.

“It doesn’t matter about the result,” one player said to another. “We’re through and that’s the main thing.”

The atmosphere remained one of celebration until the door was flung open and in strode Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The Swedish striker was unhappy to see his team-mates smiling and he shouted loudly at them. Ibrahimovic sent