Ten Hag was lifted off his feet in celebration by fiery defender Lisandro Martinez when the final whistle sounded on a truly remarkable FA Cup final.
The whole build-up was overshadowed by speculation that this would be Ten Hag’s final game in charge of United but Ratcliffe, the man who will be at the centre of that decision-making process, was too busy smiling at the end to contemplate that at this stage.
United have taken a rocky road to Wembley glory, beating Liverpool 4-3 at Old Trafford in the quarter-final with Amad Diallo’s last-gasp goal in extra-time, then narrowly avoiding embarrassment in the semi-final when they conceded a 3-0 lead to Championship side Coventry City before winning on penalties.
And United’s first-half display was as good as anything produced in Ten Hag’s tenure, with superb organisation allied to real threat.
Mainoo’s second goal was picture perfect as Marcus Rashford’s raking pass found Garnacho, whose cross was deftly touched into the young England midfield man’s path by Fernandes.
The 19-year-old was at the heart of it all. Mainoo, not just a goalscorer but a calm presence throughout, showing the big match temperament which makes him a serious contender to start England’s first game against Serbia at Euro 2024.
The man of the moment, however, was Ten Hag, derided as a busted flush simply waiting to be shown the door, who coaxed a top-class performance out of a United team that has struggled so badly but will now be in next season’s Europa League.
It was his second trophy at United after last season’s League Cup win. If Ten Hag is going, he goes out on a real high.