David Moyes was expecting the boos. The last time the Manchester United manager was here, he was given a guard of honour, recognition of the 11 years he served Everton with such distinction. He knew this would be different. He might have felt the fury and the venom was unwarranted, he might have been surprised to see one fan, at the behest of a bookmaker, dressed as the Grim Reaper, and it might still have hurt, but he knew he would have to endure a line of fire. He could, at least, steel himself.

What the Scot will not have been expecting, what will have hurt all the more, was the chant that went up with a quarter of an hour to play. Everton were