There are few more authentic eye-witnesses to Manchester United’s modern history than Brian McClair, who lived through Sir Alex Ferguson’s transformation of the club from first division mediocrities to the kings of the Premier League - first as a player and then as a coach.

It is 30 years since his first year at Old Trafford, when he scored more league goals in a season than any United player since George Best. He was there for Ryan Giggs’ debut, Eric Cantona’s arrival and he has the assist for David Beckham’s 1996 Wimbledon halfway line goal.

In 14 years working at the academy he oversaw the development of every bright young thing from Gerard Pique and Paul Pogba to Marcus Rashford and Scott McTominay.

He says he can even remember the first time anyone in the United squad sent a text message – and not least because it was him, the story being a good example of his famously laconic dressing room wit.

“My brother-in-law was a BT engineer and explained to me how to text before anyone else had. People at the club were getting scared because they thought they were getting messages from the dark side. I used to text them, ‘Life’s s--- and then you die’.”