The time is around half past four.
Manchester United aren't in action for another three and a half hours, but Erik ten Hag is a stickler for having his squad's pre-match preparations at the stadium rather than at the team hotel and players are already arriving in droves.
As Marcus Rashford strolls through the car park towards the players' entrance, the shouts from fans aren't for consecutive fan-voted United player of the month. Instead, there are audible cries of "Sancho, Sancho!"
Besides Rashford is Jadon Sancho, who hasn't been in a matchday squad since October. His last involvement on the pitch was in United's 1-1 draw with Chelsea on the 22nd of that month, so fans were understandably pleased at the sight of his return.
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"Jadon Sancho will return to the game squad," Ten Hag revealed the day prior. Those words had been eagerly anticipated as Sancho was continually ruled out of recent matches.
Concern was first evoked across social media in November, shortly before the World Cup, when Sancho deleted all of his posts on Instagram, blacking out his profile photo. He had been stuck in a spiral of diminishing confidence, and this was compounded by the fact that he missed out on Gareth Southgate's England squad for Qatar.
Sancho hasn't had the easiest time of things since joining United in the summer of 2021 - for a fee of around £75 million - after a long pursuit. He only managed three goals and three assists in 29 league appearances across a tough first season in an underperforming side, with a further goal coming in each of the Champions League and FA Cup.
This season was started more brightly, with Sancho finding the net three times in pre-season before pivotally scoring against Liverpool as United got back on track after losing their opening two games of the Premier League campaign.
Gary Neville audibly roared on the gantry as Sancho's turn saw James Milner and Alisson both on the ground, with a simple finish engineered courtesy of that piece of supreme deftness. Even now, it feels like the moment that catalysed the start of United's upturn.
That was followed by Sancho scoring the only goal against Leicester City by rounding Danny Ward one game later, then another two games after that on the road against FC Sheriff.
But things tailed off as the matches leading up to the World Cup progressed. He failed to score in his six subsequent appearances, managing an output of only a single assist during that period and finding himself an unused substitute on three occasions, including the last two matches before the hiatus.
He plied much of his trade as a right-winger for Borussia Dortmund, yet, while not unfamiliar with the role, he has majorly played on the left for United - a possible factor contributing to his underperformance. Prior to the World Cup, he was behind Antony on his favoured right side, with Ten Hag preferring inverted wingers.
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Sancho was not named among those travelling when available members of the squad flew to train and play friendlies in Spain ahead of the season's resumption following the World Cup, with a club statement confirming that Sancho was following a personalised training plan "to get back to his highest level".
He was initially spotted training in the Netherlands, outlining the role of Ten Hag in orchestrating the process. It wasn't until shortly before New Year that there was confirmation of Sancho returning to Manchester, where he continued to train individually.
"In this moment he is not fit enough," Ten Hag said on one of the many occasions that he was quizzed about Sancho. "Physical - and a bit of physical is also in connection with mental, but I think he is now making progress on the physical part and that will help him."
It was evident that something was wrong both from a mental and physical standpoint, likely linked to Sancho's lack of confidence as his performance levels trailed off.
"Sometimes it is good to go away from the place where you are at daily to get a new vibe, to get experience," Ten Hag added. "People have a different approach and can give you the right push to get back on track. Football players are not robots."
Ten Hag's handling of the situation was impeccable throughout. He is a manager that has often been lauded for his man-management skills, and he ensured to keep things quiet when asked about Sancho - doing his best to keep the spotlight off him and quell speculation as he worked his way back into first team training.
On 17 January, it was revealed that Sancho had returned to first team training for the first time since the World Cup - a big stride towards his return.
Since then, Ten Hag has remained creditably patient and true to his planning of Sancho's training plan. Amid pleas from fans for Sancho to return, he didn't succumb to that pressure and continued to follow what he believed was best for the player.
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Ten Hag has often spoken of a "process" which he detailed he "can't force" in early January. But, over three months since Sancho was last seen in a matchday squad, he finally made his return for United's Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Nottingham Forest.
United weren't outstanding in the first leg, but they did more than enough to get the job done and come away from the City Ground with a 3-0 victory. Goals from Marcus Rashford and Wout Weghorst at either end of the first half were well-timed, while a late goal from Bruno Fernandes was crucial to obtain a more comfortable margin heading into the second leg.
But still, Ten Hag again proved his lack of complacency through reluctance to rotate as he named the majority of his favoured side from those fit, barring Marcus Rashford being rested and named on the bench as Alejandro Garnacho started.
Sancho was named on the bench - understandable given the length of his lay-off and Ten Hag's keenness to ensure he wasn't rushed back into the fray after a cautious approach to his training plan.
The first 60 minutes of the match were generally non-descript, with only the odd chance for each side, including Weghorst hitting the post from an exceptional cross by Casemiro. United were understandably content to manage the game and not over-exert amid their present congestion of fixtures.
There was some spark early in the second half as penalty shouts went by some aggro developed between Garnacho and Brennan Johnson, but the match was mostly livened up by Ten Hag's alterations around the hour mark.
The sight of Sancho, Rashford and Anthony Martial stepping up the verge pitchside with perfect synchronicity was like a cinematic masterpiece. They excelled as a trio during pre-season before various issues saw that front line broken up, but fun was to ensue against Forest as Ten Hag made the triple substitution that saw them introduced.
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Just like pre-match, and when he warmed up in the first half, it was Sancho who gained the biggest reception. It was rapturous, with "Sancho, Sancho" ringing around Old Trafford in a rhythmic manner.
Ten Hag embraced Sancho at the side of the pitch in an embodiment of the care he has shown amid recent struggles that have seen his player sidelined. In the meantime, Sancho wore a beaming grin as he was serenaded by the Old Trafford contingent.
The smile showed just how much the volumes of support meant to Sancho, who had evidently been lacking belief. It was a feel-good moment that will have put Sancho at ease, alleviating any pressure associated with his long-awaited return.
And Sancho's performance showed the energy around the stadium was resonating with him. Considering he hadn't played for three months, missing United's 13 matches prior, his performance was one of noteworthy tidiness. He looked in excellent shape, too.
Interestingly, Sancho was deployed in the No.10 role, with Bruno Fernandes shifted to the right flank to facilitate this. He proved relatively adept to the role given his aptness when it comes to operating in tight spaces, with some positive involvement in build-up and contribution to a fluid attacking set-up.
United eventually took the lead just past the 70-minute mark, with a controlled first-time pass from Casemiro setting Martial through into space. Rashford ran beside him in support, timing his run well but seeing his shot blocked. However, emphasising the same wavelength that this particular front line are on, Martial was on hand to slot the rebound home.
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United upped the ante after the introduction of their attacking cavalry off the bench, with each of the substitutes playing their part as their advantage was promptly doubled. Sancho's part as a link player from his central berth cannot be understated, receiving the ball off Martial before sharply spreading the ball wide to Fernandes ahead of United's second goal.
The cross subsequently delivered by Fernandes - played in classy fashion with the outside of his foot - accurately found Rashford's back-post run, allowing the ball to be played across for Fred to simply tap the ball over the line to conclude a well-executed move.
Fernandes showed a flashy side which has somewhat reduced this term amid a positive simplification of his game, which has seen a reduction in wastefulness and the erratic side of things. Still, he remains a pivotal player with high quality, able to in orchestrate attacks and knit the side together, also a crucial body in transition.
It was excellent to see Sancho involved in a goal-scoring move, marking his return with contribution to an ultimately comfortable win over two legs.
Patience will be necessary as he gets back up to speed, and expectation cannot be too high for him to perform immediately given he has been absent for such a prolonged period, with apparent personal issues behind the scenes.
It is to Sancho's credit that he has cooperated with Ten Hag's training plan so effectively, including moving over to the Netherlands. As a result of his hard work, he has already shown he can play a part moving forward given the different dimension he offers compared to other attacking options.
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"Wembley, Wembley, we're the famous Man United and we're going to Wembley," rang around Old Trafford with it made certain that Ten Hag had guided his side to the Carabao Cup final, booking a date at Wembley Stadium.
The players exited the pitch with smiles on their faces - a presentation of the happiness and enjoyment that has started to return this season under Ten Hag's rule.
A final a mere six months into Ten Hag's tenure as United manager is a laudable feat. The goal of winning a trophy was earmarked ahead of the season, but there was a wavering sense to the genuine belief as to how achievable a target it was.
However, United have made their way to a final at the first time of asking under Ten Hag with a highly problem-free, efficient navigation of the Carabao Cup. There has been no complacency from Ten Hag and his side at any point, and that has paid off.
An epic final with Newcastle United - another side on an upward trajectory vying to end a trophy drought - is now set. And Manchester United are in a feel-good period.
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