As the teams came out of the tunnel before Manchester United's 3-1 Premier League victory over Burnley at Old Trafford, a giant banner was pulled across the Stretford End wishing a happy 80th birthday to Sir Alex Ferguson.
It is hard to believe Ferguson has reached such a landmark, partly because it means that by the end of this season, nine years will have elapsed since he vacated the Old Trafford hotseat.
Ever since then, United have been trying desperately to restore their status as England's number one club, which they assumed with authority for so much of Ferguson's reign.