United say they understand the frustration of Carney and others similarly affected but they are largely unapologetic about making the changes.

Ratcliffe had been clear in his assessment United’s huge losses could not continue, warning there was a danger the club might ‘go bust’ unless action was taken.

To that end, relocating fans in prime seats that can attract such a significant premium on what existed before was a no-brainer.

Last month, United confirmed losses had been cut by 70.8% from £113.2m to £33m.

Chief executive Omar Berrada confirmed the improved financial performance would “support our overriding priority: success on the pitch”.

So far, the expected uplift has failed to materialise, with United losing three of their six Premier League games in addition to being knocked out of the EFL Cup by League Two Grimsby, the first time in the club’s history they have been beaten by a fourth-tier team.

As someone who started supporting United in the late 1940s and still has memorablia charting the progress of the Busby Babes, Carney has seen plenty of good and bad times.

He says he cannot remember the situation being quite so bleak as now.

“This is as bad as it has been,” he said. “It’s just heartbreaking.

“It was pretty dire between 1959 and 1962 but there was bound to be a big dip after the Munich crash as the club was rebuilding.

“It was also grim in the 1970s. I think Sir Matt [Busby] mentally thought he was done after winning the European Cup. The club made some bad signings and got relegated.

“But the enthusiasm among the fanbase was still there and the players we had did try. When we brought Steve Coppell and Gordon Hill in, you could see the green shoots. I can’t see that now.”

Carney is yet to decide if he will renew his ticket again next season.

At the very least, he will look to relocate again, having got soaked during the recent victory over Chelsea as the wind swept torrential rain across the first few rows of seats where he now sits.

He has reached an age where he can’t be certain how long he will be able to commute from his Northwich home with his United mad grandson, who is disabled.

Either way, he is not alone in feeling the game he has loved all his life has changed at the top level, and not for the better.

“I don’t think the soul is there anymore. It is not just United, it is across the board. It’s business, it’s money. The days that are gone will never come back,” he said.

“Now there are a lot of day trippers who come from all over the world saying they have been to Old Trafford to watch Manchester United.

“United do have money – but they are £1bn in debt.

“They are talking about a new stadium but the way things are going, they might not need space for 100,000 people.”