And delivered for for Manchester

with tickets strolled shoulder to shoulder up to the giant ark of a stadium, this finally began to feel like a proper European final.

A fan in the crowd of the Friends Arena was interviewed on the giant screen and summed up the sentiments of many: “It’s not about winning, tonight it is all about Manchester.”

But for all that Peter Bosz said so touchingly on the eve of the game about the final having lost its “glow”, there was little sign of it inside.

United fans were slow to find their voice but by the time those with that anti-terrorist banner had draped it behind the goal alongside others bearing messages urging people to “pray for Manchester”, both sets of supporters were in full cry.

During the build-up, Jose Mourinho had been interviewed on TV. “It is our job – we are ready for it,” he said. “Not with the same happiness a great moment like this normally brings. But from a professional point of view we are ready.” In place of happiness, though, determination. Plus pride responsibility.

The second half was barely underway when Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s flick took care of the satisfying detail of actually winning the cup. However, from the start, United had understood that the important thing was that they had to mean it.

Consequently, they looked engaged, energetic and, most of all, united, determined not to let Manchester down.

It was a lucky deflection off Davinson Sanchez that gave United their early break, a goal that Paul Pogba claimed nevertheless.

He may be the world’s most expensive footballer but that did not stop his father being taken away from him two weeks ago. Too often we accuse footballers of being overpaid and detached from the real world. One thing, though, unites us all as human beings – hopefully compassionate ones. When Pogba looked heavenwards and pointed to the was and sky, Fassou Antoine Pogba was foremost on his mind.

However, those other poor souls which had been lost over the preceding 48 hours will undoubtedly have been up there in his thoughts too. Last night, Pogba and the collection of players from all over the world who have found a home in Manchester, did them and the rest of the city proud. CORONATION STREET: Banner unfurled along the streets of Stockholm and, left, in the arena