Monaco sporting director Paul Mitchell was in attendance for Manchester United Under-18's FA Youth Cup victory over Leicester City on Thursday night.
Mitchell, who has also worked with Southampton, Tottenham and RB Leipzig, was pictured sitting alongside his former colleague and interim United boss Ralf Rangnick in the crowd during the match at Old Trafford.
Speculation soon began to run wild on social media as to the reason for his attendance but United have moved to downplay its significance.
Mitchell is from Greater Manchester, having been born in Stalybridge, and the club has said he was in Manchester ‘seeing family.'
United's youngsters advanced to the semi-finals of the prestigious youth competition as they overcame the Foxes 2-1.
Leicester actually took the lead on the half-hour mark as former United man Chris Popov scored with a cool finish.
Star of the show Alejandro Garnacho equalised just before the break as he fired home a free-kick in front of the Stretford End.
The Spaniard would then go onto score at the end of the second half, too, as he took down the impressive Kobbie Mainoo's clipped pass with a great first touch before hitting the ball across the goalkeeper and into the far corner.
United are looking to win the Youth Cup for a record 11th time.
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