What’s more, none of this seemed inevitable.
Frenkie de Jong was Ten Hag’s primary target, the player he would build his midfield around.
From Angel Di Maria through to Alexis Sanchez up to and including the ill-conceived second coming of Cristiano Ronaldo, United’s frequently lavish transfer business in their misfiring years featured big names on hefty pay packets with their reputations secured.
He didn’t because he simply won’t allow himself to.
But there’s much more to his play than the clutch goals that make him the man for a big occasion.
“I think everyone this season is being much better than we were last season, starting with me,” Bruno Fernandes said on the eve of the final.
Shaw and Aaron Wan-Bissaka might not be Ten Hag’s ideal players, but the full-back duo have each come out of dire trots.