Was this our most crucial third-round tie?

Such glories were barely conceivable in the gloomy first days of January 1990, as he prepared for a daunting FA Cup trip to Nottingham Forest. Scan Sir Alex’s first two United-focused books, Six Years at United and Managing My Life, and you can feel the memory of his anxieties burning from the page.

Late 1989 is described as “the blackest period of my life.” “My moment of crisis.” Following the infamous 5-1 defeat to Manchester City at Maine Road, he admits he was “in total shock and completely gone”.

“I listened in horror as we drew Nottingham Forest away,” he remembered.

And little wonder. The team that travelled to the City Ground on 7 January was without a win in eight games, and United…