Aggregate score: 3-3; United win on away goals

“United are back,” they sang at the end. And they are. Whatever happens now, this was Manchester United as they want to be known; as they were known. And they partied like it was 1999.

They made history again and that raucous wedge of 2,000 United fans sang and sang again in the rain long after their heroic players had sprinted to them in disbelieving joy at what they had achieved. They also sang long after Paris St-Germain had slumped to the turf distraught, Kylian Mbappe in tears.

If there were any doubts as to whether Ole Gunnar Solskjaer deserves to be confirmed as the next United manager, then that should now change. Hang logic or process or waiting – just give it to him.

The day before, Solksjaer had said there was no such thing as a lost cause and while everyone nodded, no one believed. But he did. No team in Champions League history had overturned a 2-0 deficit from the first leg. United did and without 10 players, without their first-choice midfield and with 19-year-old Tahith Chong and 17-year-old Mason Greenwood on the pitch.

Solskjaer spoke about the importance of scoring first – they did, after 111 seconds – and about United’s illustrious relationship with late drama that is so associated with him, of course. And how, with Sir Alex Ferguson in attendance, they also recalled 1999 and that most incredible of Champions League finals. Football, bloody hell, as the man said, and he joined in the celebrations in the dressing room here.

“Ooh ahh, VAR,” was another chant from United’s fans and the Italian video assistant referee played his part. They say the VAR is killing drama in football. Not here. This was the most astonishing, unforgettable finish as United were awarded a 90th-minute penalty.