“That was one of the best days of my life, that,” marvels Ben. “When we do win games like that, it’s just so much more special. If it doesn’t happen as regular, it’s actually better when it does happen, because you’re not expecting it.” 

Hearing Ben tell the story of his day in London brings everything back – that shivery, sense-tingling feeling you get from all the best United buzzes. And, of course, they hit in a very pure way when you’re young.

“It was just amazing,” says Davies, whose day started with an early train down to London, and then a meet-up in Kilburn, a few miles down the road from Wembley. The sun was out, but emotions were very much mixed among United’s nervy travelling army. But once the whistle sounded, a unified defiance burst forth.

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