This was a press conference that could not have gone better for Manchester United ahead of a European final

If it was strategic of Manchester United to allow Tottenham Hotspur to hold their pre-match duties first, it had the desired effect.

Ange Postecoglou rounded on a reporter who suggested he could be remembered as a "clown". He dismissed concerns over his future, urging another reporter not to lose any sleep over it. He also reminded his audience he had lifted a trophy and exited stage left at his previous clubs.

Sub-editors could design their back-page splashes hours before deadline. United's timekeeping for press conferences on the continent can be tardy but even if they were late Ruben Amorim was never going to be as quotable as his opposite number.

Postecoglou entered the endgame some time ago. Sources have said he has known for months that he will not be managing Tottenham next season.

Then there is Amorim, seemingly safe whatever the outcome in San Mames. Amorim is partial to a zinger but he was so relaxed that he joked Bruno Fernandes, sitting to his right, was after his job.

That job is not in jeopardy. Amorim will be judged sooner than the two years he suggested it was fair to assess him at United. He has to oversee demonstrable improvement ahead of the trio of international breaks in September, October and November next season.

He sounded borderline bewildered he was not as certain to be summoned to the guillotine as Postecoglou is. "It's strange because you have some coaches that are here that lose some games and they are sacked. It's hard to explain," he shrugged.

Not really. Ineos sought out every Tom, Dick and Harry to replace Erik ten Hag, watched United punch above their weight in the FA Cup final, had a leadership vacuum, lost their nerve and pandered to fickle fans.

Once decision-makers were in the