There was a two-minute notice of Erik ten Hag's arrival and as soon as the door swung open, his entrance was expected. Ten Hag strode in merrily and gladhanded the nearest journalist sitting in the front row. That was unexpected.
Club staff had advised the dedicated correspondents to sit in the front rows and it soon became clear why. Ten Hag, dressed in a white shirt and summery sand-coloured suit with a pocket square, pressed the flesh with around a dozen journalists, most of them scheduled to cover Manchester United's pre-season tour of Thailand and Australia in July. The broad smile across Ten Hag's face never dropped.
To those sat further back, Ten Hag offered a wave and repeatedly assured it was 'nice to meet you all'. United could not wait to draw a line under a chastening season and will hope Ten Hag's sunny exterior ushers in an era of positivity.
