Sir Jim Ratcliffe was supposed to be the answer to the Glazers preventing Manchester United's progress. Forgive the imagery but he was supposed to be the guy wielding the plunger and getting rid of the blockage. He was the no-nonsense businessman come to rid the club of its stench of under-achievement and incompetence.
Even if the Glazers were not banished, it felt as if Ratcliffe’s acquisition of a minority share of United and control of the playing side of the club meant that they were at least in retreat. Ratcliffe’s arrival meant United fans could at least tell themselves there was some separation between the club and the detested owners.