For the second time in recent weeks, an Irishman managed to suppress the efforts of the most expensive footballer on the planet. Last month, it was Glenn Whelan who kept Paul Pogba subdued as Stoke drew 1-1 with Jose Mourinho's side at the Britannia.
On Wednesday night, it was the turn of Whelan's fellow Ireland international David Meyler to track the Frenchman. He did so effectively as Hull came away from Old Trafford with a goalless draw and a valuable point in their battle against relegation.
It was a game which dismayed both Man Utd fans and players. In his ESPN report for the game, Andy Mitten described the stands emptying long before the final whistle and players not hanging around, as they usually would following a home game, to sign autographs for fans in the stadium car park.
In that car park, Mitten witnessed an episode between David Meyler and a Man Utd fan which he included in his report. However, he misread the situation.
Mitten thought that a home fan had handed the Corkman a Man Utd jersey to sign and that Meyler had then placed it in his pocket before walking onto the Hull bus and then holding it aloft to much amusement of his teammates.
One, Irishman David Meyler, was shouted over by the many Irish United fans. He gladly signed autographs. The Republic of Ireland international was handed a United shirt to sign. He smiled, put in in his pocket, then took it onto the team bus, where he held it up laughing. The fans laughed, too. For not the first time that night, Hull City had United in their back pocket.
That is not an accurate account of events. On Thursday night, David Meyler contacted Balls.ie to explain what actually happened.
The fan had presented Meyler with a Man Utd jersey. Though, there was also an added insult. Instead of accepting his offer, Meyler took Paul Pogba's jersey from his pocket - apt considering how quiet he had kept the 23-year-old during the game - and then held it aloft before stepping on to the Hull bus.
I was talking on the bus all happy as Larry after getting a draw.
I heard loads of people shouting and they were Irish. So I went over signed some programmes shirts and took a few selfies.
Then a Man Utd fan said to me, 'Sign this Man Utd top, cause it's the closest you'll ever get to Manchester United.'
I had swapped shirts with Pogba, so I pulled his top out of my pocket and showed everyone and walked onto the bus!
