Erik ten Hag has given Manchester United more than just an identity

Oh, what a night. More than an hour after full-time, Bruno Fernandes was lingering on the Old Trafford pitch as he watched his children play in the Stretford End penalty area.

All of Fernandes's teammates had left, the majority eschewing a chaotic and crammed mixed zone. Freshly showered and clad in a club tracksuit, Fernandes had savoured a vibrant evening with the stands full and now they were empty.

Fernandes will have felt anything but emptiness. There is something wondrous about stadia when the turnstiles are locked and the floodlights are on.

Also read: Fred proved Xavi right

Fernandes was the first to hug Antony at full-time, lifting the matchwinner off his feet in front of the Stretford End. At the opposite end, the other Latino members began cheerleading so avidly they did not need pom poms.

Twice this season, Raphael Varane has approached the crowd in victory, their roar rising as Varane raises his hands. He first did it after United recovered from 1-0 down to beat Manchester City 2-1 last month. They did it again against Barcelona.

Varane promised the atmosphere would be electric on Thursday night. The players and supporters were charged. Varane did not encounter such a fervent bond during his 10 years playing in front of the Real Madrid supporters. Nor did Casemiro, celebrating nearby. Lisandro Martinez, an ardent Argentinian, beat the United crest at the full-time whistle.

Frenkie de Jong does not experience such adoration in Barcelona and he has embraced the sedate and sunny lifestyle in Catalonia. Should he relish the challenge of English football, the sales pitch at United is much more compelling now than it was in the summer.

"Frenkie, Frenkie, what's the score?" chirped the United fans as a deflated