Half an hour after the match ended, the brightly lit press conference room was packed, with camera shutters clicking incessantly.
Sports media representatives and football reporters from across England had all taken their places.
Countless cameras focused on the podium as everyone waited for the two managers' post-match assessments.
Following the usual post-match procedure, the defeated visiting manager entered first to face the press.
Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal walked slowly into the room in a dark suit.
The renowned Dutch manager, usually composed, formidable, and commanding, looked exhausted and resigned that night.
Helplessness clouded his face, and his shoulders slumped slightly. None of his pre-match defiance remained.
He quietly took his seat without any unnecessary gestures and waited for the questions.
The reporters understood his mood. Rather than deliberately putting him on the spot, they began with a routine question.
One reporter asked how he assessed his team's overall performance and the reasons for their defeat.
At the mention of the match, Louis van Gaal let out a long sigh, his expression candid but deeply dejected.
He did not shirk responsibility, complain about the referee, or offer any excuses about circumstances beyond his control.
As an elite manager with decades of experience in football, he had witnessed countless clashes between great clubs and star players.
Having weathered the demands of the Premier League, La Liga, and the Bundesliga, he had seen plenty of talented players rise to prominence.
But that night's defeat had brought home what it meant to be overwhelmed by sheer talent.
"First of all, I must congratulate Arsenal. They deserved this victory."
"My players gave everything they had. They did nothing wrong and fought their hardest throughout."
"From our preparations to our execution on the pitch, from the intensity of our pressing to our defensive