Manchester United were ready for the game, and it showed.
Their preparations were all dedicated towards the game, and by the morning of said game, the grounds staff were already on the pitch before seven.
The floodlights were still on above the stadium as a small group moved across the grass, checking every section of the playing surface.
One man stopped near the penalty area, crouched, and pressed his fingers into the turf.
He stood again and then turned, calling one of the workers over!
"That one," he said and pointed toward a worn patch just outside the box.
"Fix it."
One of the groundsmen nodded and headed over.
"Anything else?" the latter figure said when he got near the area.
"Check the goalmouths again."
Another nod followed before work soon began once more, and that was how it was going to be for the rest of the day.
There would be no excuses tonight.
Old Trafford had a game to host, and everything beneath it had to be ready.
