It might be later rather than sooner but England will still leave Europe

After Manchester United began their Premier League campaign with three wins on the trot, 10 goals scored and none conceded, one of the club’s most distinguished old boys was invited to add his voice to a swelling chorus of popular and critical approval. 

This was based on the notion that, with his new look side not only up and running but even beginning to dazzle, Jose Mourinho was finally set fair to consign the grey years of Moyes and Van Gaal to the past.

But Roy Keane wasn’t quite ready to play ball.