Manchester United Visit Northampton Town: The Circus on Tour

SIXFIELDS STADIUM, Northampton — Manchester United's defending during the passage of play in which Northampton Town won a penalty definitely had a hint of the circus about it.

From Marcos Rojo's failed attempt at a headed clearance to Daley Blind's panicked, lunging challenge, "Entry of the Gladiators"—the classic circus musical accompaniment—would have made a perfect score.

Eventually, the Red Devils got themselves back on track. Jose Mourinho had to bring the big guns into the big top, as Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Marcus Rashford entered the fray, changing the balance of the game in United's favour. Mourinho would have liked his second string to do the job without his two best strikers, but needs must.

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At Sixfields for @br_uk ! pic.twitter.com/EiCTg0fAKQ

— Paul (@UtdRantcast) September 21, 2016"

It was fascinating to see the United superstars in action in more-humble-than-usual surroundings. Sixfields Stadium played host to 7,798 people, a club-record attendance.

It was no surprise that such a record was set. Around the ground before the game, it was clear that people were excited. Northampton locals talked about a buzz around town that had been growing ever since the fixture was announced.

The car park steward explained that things might be a little tight. Not knowing the draw would bring United to town, a funfair had been booked to occupy space usually given over to parking for the big games. That funfair was visible on the hill behind the north stand—a vantage point from which some ticket-less fans gathered to watch.

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People watching on the bank behind the goal @br_uk pic.twitter.com/JbazU0aXhn

— Paul (@UtdRantcast) September 21, 2016"

Those selling the infamous half-and-half scarves, euphemistically referred to as “matchday scarves,” did a roaring trade. In the big West Stand, hardly a Northampton fan seemed to be without one. One seller expressed his happiness that United were the opposition. The Red Devils, in spite of their on-pitch travails, remain good for business.

Being at a small stadium means less in the way of facilities for visiting journalists, but the opportunity to walk around the pitch before kick-off was a far cry from Old Trafford. Television companies covering the game shot their pitch-side interviews, with co-commentators and pundits mingling with stewards and supporters.

Towards the end of the game, Phil Neville walked past the away fans. When he was spotted, an enthusiastic chant of "Philip Neville is a red" struck up.

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Ander Herrera doing some signing before the game. @br_uk pic.twitter.com/pQBQhSWlbM

— Paul (@UtdRantcast) September 21, 2016"

There was enthusiasm among the younger home support to see some of United's stars. Ander Herrera obliged with a few pre-match autographs. After a post-game workout, unused substitute Juan Mata kicked a couple of balls to those of the crowd who were still around.

Ibrahimovic's incongruous presence at the home of the Cobblers was marked by his presence on the cover of the programme, along with Northampton's Marc Richards. The clubs' respective No. 9s both started on the bench and were both called into action.

There was a marvellous moment during the two sides' warm-ups. United players had come out to a chorus of boos from the home support. Zlatan was not among them. He came out on his own, a few moments later. It was quite a sight. He took a couple of steps out of the tunnel and, hands-on-hips, surveyed the scene in front of him.

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Zlatan no look slide pass @br_uk pic.twitter.com/a544Sjc0XP

— Paul (@UtdRantcast) September 21, 2016"

The tunnel emerges opposite the half-built East Stand, through which Northampton's skyline can be seen.

Of course, Ibrahimovic has played plenty of games at smaller stadia, but the global megastar's presence in these surroundings was strangely moving. It was a reminder of the remnants of the game's origins away from the glitz and glamour, a reminder that ultimately all of the Hollywood trappings only exist because people love the actual game of football so much.

There were a handful of half-hearted boos from the home support for Ibrahimovic. Maybe they did not notice him come out, or maybe they were too busy thinking "Oh my gosh, there's Zlatan," to muster up a proper jeer.

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Zlatan gives the mascots a thumbs up. Good Guy Juan goes over for the high five. @br_uk pic.twitter.com/pkenkf3Sfe

— Paul (@UtdRantcast) September 21, 2016"

After the warm-up, Ibrahimovic gave the mascots a thumbs-up. Mata went over for a high-five.

Once the game actually got under way, the home crowd seemed oddly muted—the only real sustained noise they made came at the award of the penalty and subsequent goal. The United travelling faithful was in typical voice.

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It's Carrick ya know @br_uk pic.twitter.com/QXjrKpGu5y

— Paul (@UtdRantcast) September 21, 2016"

It was heartening to see Michael Carrick get his first competitive game of the season and—in spite of the level of the opposition—make a case for more game time. It was equally heartening to hear his goal celebrated with the chant that became an ever-present during his excellent 2012/13 campaign.

Carrick has always been a divisive figure among United fans, but there is clearly a bond between him and the hardcore travelling support. Carrick, of course, sat with United's travelling contingent at Anfield in January. After he returned to the team, he tweeted that he had “got the bug” for sitting in a United away end.

Another divisive figure is, of course, Wayne Rooney who was played here as a No. 9. He worked hard, as he always does. But as has become the norm, he failed to significantly impact the game in United's favour. It is surely now a matter of time before he is dropped.

Although Northampton's League One status makes drawing any conclusions a little futile, the 4-3-3 formation Mourinho deployed looked more balanced than the 4-2-3-1 he had favoured up until the last few games. Rooney moved from the centre to the right in the second half, but we are clearly past the point where debating his position has any merit.

The only logical position to start the club captain is on the bench.

But that is a problem for another day. On Wednesday evening, the game ended comfortably for United. The Cobblers' fans applauded their team's more-than-respectable efforts. 

Journalists milled around in the hope that one or both of the managers might speak to them, but there was nothing doing—no proper mixed zone with the players and no press conference. Things are different at Sixfields.

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Herrera getting interviewed pic.twitter.com/PVjU8n6HPA

— Paul (@UtdRantcast) September 21, 2016"

Northampton's next opponents are Southend United, a fixture unlikely to break any attendance records.

It is easy to take the scale of Manchester United for granted when you see it on its own terms—at Old Trafford, that giant football cathedral. But when it is transported to such a different part of the footballing world you see the impact it has.

It is a reminder that there are United fans all over the country—all over the world—and that even for those with no love for the club, there is a huge draw to their presence.

No one wants to miss the chance of seeing their team spring an upset on United. While Paul Pogba may not have been there, there were plenty of members of the new FC Hollywood version of United in attendance.

After the game, there was a little deflation from the draw. Another Pep Guardiola-Jose Mourinho clash now awaits. Manchester City will visit Old Trafford again. 

While that will, of course, bring the attention of the world once more—and offer Mourinho another bite of the cherry against his archrival—it felt, in truth, a little sad that there will be no romantic trip. There will be no need to warm up in a car park ahead of the next round.

Enormous blockbusters are all well and good, but on a chilly Wednesday night in September, it was lovely to watch United take part in more down-to-earth fare.