The time to judge Ruben Amorim at Manchester United has already changed

Manchester United matchgoers unfurled a foreboding banner bearing the faces of Robson, Cantona and Keane that read ‘Standards’ a few seasons ago. They may start to reassess their own.

One of United’s worst ever teams is still applauded. They routinely embark on half-laps of honour in defeat, certain they will not be barracked. It is a far cry from three years ago and chants of ‘You’re not fit to wear the shirt’ and ‘F**k off Pogba’ during an actual win against Norwich City. The away-dayers re-aired the former at Brighton and Brentford that year.

Wolves and West Ham United have done the double over United in successive months at Old Trafford and there was barely a murmur of discontent in the stands. Apathy is rife.

One is not advocating booing or abuse. A new benchmark was set at Selhurst Park last season. That 4-0 drubbing was the seasonal nadir yet the support from the away end at full-time was remarkably, well, supportive. A friend in the Arthur Wait Stand described it as “poignant”.

United supporters will not turn as long as there is glory on the horizon. That Europa League trophy they can see is not a mirage.

Woe betide the players if they return from Bilbao without some extra hand luggage. The only thing more humiliating than finishing 17th and losing a final to Tottenham is relegation.

The atmosphere on the final day against Aston Villa at Old Trafford will either be optimistic or antagonistic. There was more chanting against the Glazers and those now-permanent banners in front of the directors’ box were brandished again on Sunday.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe has not been at the stadium since those choreographed protests against his callous treatment of loyal paying supporters began against Wolves on Easter Sunday. A