FIRST came the 7 o’clock protest by hundreds of fans, complete with the usual red and yellow smoke flares.
It was the third in a row following those that preceded before the last two home clashes with Chelsea and Norwich City.
Man Utd put in their best home performance of the season against a backdrop of fan unrestCredit: APMan United fans appeal to fellow supporters to leave in the 73rd minute
Then 17 minutes from the end there was what supposed to be a mass walk – out to mark 17 years since Malcolm Glazer and his family became owners of Manchester United.
Cue more flares and a “Glazers Out” banner and non – stop chanting against the Americans although not many, actually, left for the exits.
Between those times there happened to be a football match with Brentford taking place.
But very few of those raging against the Old Trafford machine – albeit one that is broken and needing plenty of new parts to fix it – cared that much about the result although by the end they were enjoying themselves.
Ronaldo helps end tough Red Devils’ home campaign on a high
For the last home match of the season came agains the backdrop of depression and disillusion at a club that under Sir Alex Ferguson ruled the Premier League and on a couple of occasions did so in Europe too.
This is a very different United to the one Fergie guided to 13 titles, two Champions League successes and so much more silver wear.
For starter players are choosing to leave.
Six years ago when Paul Pogba returned for a club record £89million it would have been inconceivable to think that he would chose to walk away again as he did whilst still a youngster when Juventus came calling.
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Once upon a time – and eight years without a title success has become an eternity for those disillusioned fans – most top players would have had to be dragged out of the doors of the Theatre of Dreams.
The only direction when United let you go was down.
But Pogba, missing again with a calf injury and who is effectively out for the season, has been trying to get away for three years, maybe more.
Questions have to be asked about whether Cristiano Ronaldo will still be prsent next season.
The second coming of CR7 was supposed to spark a challenge to the dominance of Manchester City and Liverpool.
And the penalty he converted after being downed by Rico Henry against Brentford took his season’s tally to an impressive 24.
But there are those around him who took umbrage at his entrance or couldn’t or wouldn’t handle the extra work load required of them because Ronaldo doesn’t do tracking back.
Young players are understood to have been intimidated by him and very possible former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer who had to rapidly re – draw the blueprint once it was announced he was returning.
Cristiano Ronaldo scoring from the spotCredit: EPA
The Ronaldo return, his goals apart, back-fired on Solskjaer and it could be argued the whole team.
And the worse it all got the more petulant he became.
The template that interim boss Ralf Rangnick laid out after the 1-1 draw with Chelsea suggests that incoming new boss Erik Ten Hag is unlikely to want to start at ground zero by trying to accommodate a player who has inhabited a different planet.
But is now a waining star for all his goals and can be high maintenance.
Rangnick has stressed that in his role as consultant next season, alongside his new job a Austria coach, he will work on recruitment and the players he sees coming in will be young and hungry and above all, have talents that can be moulded to make a whole new team.
Ronaldo does not fit those parametres no matter that he had a sparkle about him against Brentford in what was his best all – round performance in months.
And in those months there have been hints for months that without Champions League football next season he will head off.
He certainly won’t want to be involved in the Europa League or perish the thought, playing in Europe’s third tier Conference.
Bruno Fernandes and Cristiano RonaldoCredit: Reuters
Yet for certain other players will be joining Pogba.
Nemanja Matic has already announced he is calling it a day while Juan Mata is also out of there, contracts coming to an end.
Jesse Lingard and Edinson Cavani are also out of there while Phil Jones will surely be sold while Dean Henderson has told United he doesn’t want to be David De Gea’s back – up next season.
Marcus Rashford is also considering his future.
A home – grown hero or not the striker has looked miserable for months and is considering his future.
One way or another Ten Hag is going to have lots of holes to fill when, once upon a time, there was a waiting list of world-class players desperate to take the most famous stage in world football.
Rangnick used his programme notes to insist : “This is not the fall of Manchester United.”
He may be the only one who actually believes that.
United fans protest about the ownership of the clubCredit: PANemanja Matic, Ralf Rangnick and Juan Mata after what could be their final Old Trafford gameCredit: Reuters
And just three seconds into the clash against Thomas Franck’s men there was further evidence that he is really whistling in the wind.
Left-back Alex Telles had to make a desperate lunge to stop Bryan Mbueno walking straight through with only goalkeeper David De Gea to beat.
This sorry season has seen so many examples of such sloppiness and lack of conviction and concentration.
At least the future looks bright for young Anthony Elanga.
It was his sprint and brilliant cross from the by line that allowed Bruno Fernades to thunder home his 50th United goal after he and his team mates had woken up by the ninth minute. .
At the age of 20 Elanga promises much as do teenagers like Alejandro Garnacho and Alvaro Fernandez.
Yet those who staged their walk – out and who made their pre – match protest have grown tired of promises.
Ten Hag hasn’t made any yet. He’d be wise not to either.
