The first half was coming to a close when time lurched backwards at Old Trafford. Mason Greenwood, the teenage forward who is a superstar in the making, cut in from the right and drilled a left-footed shot towards the Newcastle United goal. It took a slight deflection and spilled from the hands of Freddie Woodman as he tried to gather it. And as the ball rolled loose, a figure lurked.
Cristiano Ronaldo took a step forward. Woodman tried to recover his ground but Ronaldo knew he would not get there. He was three yards out. He has probably never scored an easier goal, even in his magnificent career.