Tottenham manager Antonio Conte has a score to settle after Manchester United snub

There was a candidate, even though there was not yet a vacancy. Manchester United had suffered the historic humiliation of a 5-0 home defeat to Liverpool. While Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s long, drawn-out goodbye continued, some close to Antonio Conte let it be known he was interested in replacing the beleaguered Norwegian. It soon became apparent the attraction was not mutual. United were not keen on the serial Serie A winner.

Solskjaer limped on to instead shape Conte’s future by finishing off Nuno Espirito Santo, whose final Tottenham game was a 3-0 defeat to United. Conte instead succeeded him. And so Saturday's meeting is between the manager United did appoint against the one they could have done.

Ralf Rangnick was only ever an interim; Conte, with his combustibility and his 18-month contract, scarcely exudes long-termism either. That formed part of United’s reservations: they have always wanted a manager with longevity, though results have dictated otherwise.

Yet Conte arrives at Old Trafford with a far better track record of winning trophies than Rangnick. There is an immediate comparison that seems to emphasise a gulf: the Italian masterminded Tottenham’s 3-2 win at Manchester City whereas the German’s side were a rabble by the end of their 4-1 defeat at the Etihad.

Another measure suggests there is less difference: since Conte’s appointment, both clubs have 30 points, albeit with United having played two games more and with a dramatically worse goal difference. Since Rangnick took over from Michael Carrick, United are three points better off than Spurs, but after a rather easier fixture list and having played one match more.

United may survey the drama at Tottenham and feel they were vindicated. Conte threatened to