Welcome to the mad house, Ralf. If Manchester United’s incoming interim manager was not fully aware of the size of the challenge that faced him, or how erratic his new team have come to look, it was highlighted before him during a performance that batted between the ridiculous and the sublime.
Ralf Rangnick had buckled up before kick-off in the directors’ box, his work permit having come through earlier in the day – although too late for him to have any involvement in the match – and he could be delighted at how United found a way to win.