With five minutes to go, Manchester United fans burst into life as the scoreline from the Etihad filtered through.
Manchester City’s dramatic comeback had wrecked Liverpool’s hopes of equalling United’s total of 20 top-flight titles and finally they had something to celebrate.
That is how sorry this season has been for the Old Trafford giants, only the failings of others providing anything like a silver lining.
In keeping with much of their campaign to forget, the final day of the season was no different.