Liverpool fans were finally starting to file out of Old Trafford when this correspondent unplugged his laptop adaptor. A folded teamsheet lay on the table. Usually, it gets left behind. Not this time. Yesteryear, every teamsheet would be stuffed into my messenger bag. The attic would have to be reinforced to store them all and the thousands of programmes collected as a supporter and a reporter. So teamsheets now often linger in press boxes and press rooms, a potentially priceless memento for the security staff who politely usher us out. Cup final teamsheets are carefully kept inside the programme. A quick sift through a picnic basket shows the last two standalone teamsheets stored away were from the FA Youth Cup final in May 2022 (its value doubtless enhanced by the names Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho ) and
Cristiano Ronaldo 's homecoming against Newcastle in September 2021. A couple of United-Liverpool teamsheets are stowed away somewhere. The line-ups documenting Juan Mata's matchwinning afternoon at Anfield and Anthony Martial's debut are under lock and key. The novelty of collecting the odd teamsheet during the Covid-19 pandemic meant the A4 sheet for the FA Cup fourth round tie between Britain's biggest clubs in 2021 was a worthy keepsake. READ MORE: Three 8/10s and four 7s - United player of the seasons so far READ MORE: United confident of avoiding European ban March 17 is a date that already struck a chord with United anoraks: Paul Scholes's equaliser at the San Siro and Wayne Rooney's goal-of-the-season breakaway against Bolton. St Patrick's Day may be renamed Amad Day by those of a red persuasion. "I don’t think OT was that good since Scholes Barca," a friend in attendance messaged. "It's the best Old Trafford has been post-Fergie for sure." United's victory over
Liverpool was by far the most engrossed that yours truly has been covering the club in the press box. There was the shock-and-twist of a right-footed Antony equaliser, Marcus Rashford's miss in the final minute, Liverpool regaining momentum through a fortuitous deflection, Rashford's equaliser and one of the most-celebrated winners Old Trafford has witnessed in the 121st minute. The Sun's Neil Custis, sat in front of me for every home game, was on his feet at full time. He claimed it was to get a better view. We had stressed before kick-off that United-Liverpool was not just a fixture or a cup tie but an occasion. United rose to it. So did Neil. Even at a stadium renowned for late winners, this must have been the latest. There was animated enthusiasm across the two hours in the middle section of row D in the press box that occupies two journalists from the Manchester Evening News and two from The Guardian. Steven Railston was covering only his second United first-team match at Old Trafford and was en route to the mixed zone when a United press officer messaged to ask if anyone was on their way. Steven was there in time to speak with Amad and Bruno Fernandes. With the dust yet to settle, a friend who has been a season-ticket holder in the Sir Bobby Charlton Stand, née south stand, for more than 50 years messaged. "One to look back on in the years to come." His brother popped up on television at full-time shouting "You Scouse b-----d" at Liverpool players as they skulked past. United fans celebrate Amad's winner His son is in his first year at university and prioritised requesting £50 from his mother to finance a night out in Newcastle over returning home for the match. He will be in attendance for Liverpool's return next week. Another friend who sits in the Sir Alex Ferguson Stand and goes home and away also messaged: "Are they still locked in?" Liverpool fans had started singing Three Little Birds by Bob Marley during their lock-in. "Don't worry about a thing, 'cause every little thing is gonna be alright." "It's a bit late for that," quipped a colleague, also still rooted to his seat in the press box. United fans did not require Guinness to get merry as they floated out of the ground. Erik ten Hag must have spent eight hours at the stadium and stayed longer than most journalists, posing for pictures and signing autographs while his agent and son waited patiently outside the Stretford End. The Liverpool lock-in While I was vainly attempting to polish my 1,000-word plus piece on this FA Cup quarter-final for the ages, a United supporting-colleague patted me on his way down the steps. When I caught his eye, he offered a celebratory smile. In the press room afterwards, a few of us discussed where it ranked covering United. One suggested the
Paris Saint-Germain comeback. That result truly beggared belief and the added-time intervention of VAR, mercifully a rarity back then, was a truly shocking plot twist. The Liverpool tie tops it. My previous highlight covering United in press was Martial's FA Cup semi-final winner against Everton at Wembley. It was the first Fergie Time winner of the post-Ferguson era in United's first game at Wembley for nearly three years, Martial was enveloped by adoring United fans and a couple stormed the press box, singing "Tony Martial came from France". The atmosphere from the United followers that day is their best at the rebuilt national stadium. It was also my good fortune that I was tasked with writing a colour piece. Time was on my side. That was not the case for the enthralling comeback against Liverpool. United players and fans mob Martial Press box etiquette is essential and was obeyed. One could still not help but curse Rashford's miss with the final kick before extra time. Darren Fletcher, the technical director, had approached the exit but stopped and returned to his seat, sensing a United winner. That had the makings of an intro. It made the final cut but was buried as we witnessed three more goals and a red card over the next 30-something minutes. The only wrench of being present for the game of the season was it was impossible to do United justice with a raw piece minutes after the final whistle. One needed another hour, possibly with a lie down, to knock the piece into shape. For where did you start? Mainoo exited stage left with United 2-1 down but earned a deserved standing ovation. The cameras missed his cheerleading as he made way, just as he did at Anfield three months earlier. Mainoo was majestic against Liverpool There was Diogo Dalot's durability, Scott McTominay's moments, Fernandes's selflessness, Rashford's atonement and Alejandro Garnacho's relentlessness. Of the substitutes, Harry Maguire was purportedly a defensive change but an attacking menace. Antony was an unlikely game-changer and an even unlikelier left back. It was a
Hollywood epic with subplots galore. As for Amad, he did not have an audience for his first United goal against AC Milan three years earlier. This time, 61,000 United supporters were clambering over each other to embrace him. The enduring image of the afternoon was of 10-year-old United fan Alfie, so overwhelmed by Amad's winner he was in tears. So were some in the away end.