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"It's a very, very special day to be a Manc," said Razz Ashraf.

The home supporters seized on the opportunity to taunt their Spurs counterparts with songs about him wanting to 'play for a big club' and becoming 'a Manc in the morning'.

His identity – “100% Congolese, 100% Belgian, 100% Manc” – seeps through every subject and allows him to speak so personally and openly.

“I wasn’t feeling great today, so an extra session in the gym is the way to get through it,” he says, a towel draped around his neck, his gentle Belgian accent blending with Manc vowels.

The charm of his Scandi‑manc vowels and sheer excitement at being in the job may not last for ever.