How Old Trafford stirred our amazing comeback

At some point on Saturday afternoon, during United’s epic battle with Newcastle, that realisation was reached. The Reds were two down inside 10 minutes, against a side without a single win so far this term. At first, there was confusion and bewilderment. Anger and frustration.

The relationship between fans and footballers can be a strange one. Players will often speak about the need for the crowd to get behind them, but supporters also need something to chew on.

They need a flashpoint, a moment of effort, of sacrifice, of determination, to get them off their seats, loosen their vocal cords and lock their emotions into a contest. ‘You can’t start a fire without a spark’ as Bruce Springsteen…