Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire were two of their best players in Milan. It helped that they had such a confident goalkeeper behind them in Dean Henderson. You could clearly hear the voices of him and Maguire echoing around an empty San Siro. It helped too that Fred and Scott McTominay shielded in front, though Milan didn’t press as much as in the first leg – nor as much as United expected them to in San Siro. Zlatan Ibrahimovic? Relax.

The positioning of and distribution of United’s two central defenders was key. United knew from the start that the central defenders had to create smart overloads against Milan’s forwards since that would be a key to breaking them down and creating chances. Creation was not a word you’d use to describe United’s first half endeavours, but the defence held firm and weren’t pressed as intensely as expected. When they were Scott McTominay and Fred helped out and were there to bring balance in United’s build up play.

United had less possession than Milan, yet still controlled the game after going ahead. There would be no sitting back and defending the lead like the first leg. Instead, United’s defenders have been pushing increasingly high and also defending man for man when needed. Attitude helps and the team took the game to Milan despite holding the lead. This is not catenaccio. Manchester United play a surprisingly high line as part of a pressing game, which they should be credited for.

United’s defence can still improve. Crosses need to be stopped better and United won’t just stop looking at top central defenders because the ones at the club are playing well. Maguire and Lindelof are not Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic class, but nor do they have the same quality of players in front of them either.

Defensive decisions need to be made beyond those two. Will Axel Tuanzebe be good enough to establish himself as a top central defender at the club? Will Teden Mengi, another local defender still in his teens who was rewarded with a contract extension this week?

United’s full backs are also part of the reason for the defensive success. Luke Shaw isn’t Maldini class – few are – but he’s enjoying his best season since moving to Manchester in 2014. Aaron Wan Bissaka is criticised for what he does going forward, but he’s an excellent defender who tackles more than just about any other player in the Premier League. United’s defence in Milan was aged 23, 25, 26 and 28. The goalkeeper was 24. There’s room for improvement here, as there is around the team.

The victory in Italy was huge and another big cup win. United knocked Everton and Brighton out of the Carabao Cup away this season, then Liverpool and West Ham out of the FA Cup. Leicester City are next on Sunday. In the Europa League, United have now eliminated Real Sociedad and Milan, two of the favourites. Solskjaer keeps cursing his cup draws, yet winning his cup games. He needs to break through the semi-final ceiling which he’s hit four times now.

Thursday was an AC Milan in their prime scoreline, like those two games in 2005 when Hernan Crespo scored in two 1-0 wins. United don’t yet have their Crespo, a great, prolific number nine. Erling Haaland is the best fit for that position, but he’s coveted by as many clubs as Paul Pogba was in 2016. United still have other deficiencies, but Solskjaer is doing a good job – one he doesn’t always need to talk down to check expectations.

The Europa League now represents United’s best chance of a trophy this season, more so now Spurs and Milan are out of it. The competition was worth winning in 2017 and would be well worth winning in 2021. Football is about trophies and glory and fans. The Europa League final in Gdansk could bring all of those – especially if United’s defence can help them reach it and win it.