Ratcliffe was at Old Trafford to watch this latest triumph. It is only the second time under Amorim that United have won three games in a row. Without combining the start of last season and the end of the one before, it is the first time they have won three league games in a row since February 2024 under Erik ten Hag.

A notoriously blunt speaker, did Ratcliffe really mean it when he said Amorim needed three years to prove his worth, or was he just buying the former Sporting coach some time?

It does seem Ratcliffe is on board with Amorim’s vision. The improved results, Amorim says, are more helpful in offering a glimpse of a better future to the United fans.

“I never had that feeling of embarrassment, of what I was doing or not winning games,” he said. “I always felt Jim believed and knew what we were doing.

“It is more with the fans. Facing the fans is different in this moment.

“But I feel the urgency of not losing this moment. Everything in football can change in one week.”

Amorim’s words are wise. Yet there does seem to be substance in what United have delivered over the past three games.

In beating Sunderland and Brighton at Old Trafford, they have secured home wins against two sides that have won at Stamford Bridge.

No-one would dismiss Chelsea as top-five contenders, so why should United be different?

Why should they be different when they have Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, jointly signed in the summer at an overall cost of £130m, bringing a drive and purpose to their attack which did not exist before.

Both scored in this latest win. Cunha for the first time this season. Mbeumo now has five.

Amorim was eager to praise both in their different ways.

“Matheus feels more confident the harder the game,” said Amorim. “He wants the responsibility. Today he defended really well and when he has the ball I have no concerns.

“He was struggling about not scoring goals, he can try to hide but I understood.

“Bryan is a working machine, he is so good in transitions and his connection with Amad [Diallo] is really good.

“When we felt this player wants to come here no matter what, whether we were in the Champions League or not, we do everything to bring him here.”