'Vuela Atleti' - fly Atleti - read the pitch-long banner, accompanied by a snarling pilot. Anthony Elanga clipped their wings.
Even from a lofty vantage point where they might have found birds' nests, Mancunian voices reverberated around the Wanda Metropolitano bowl to the sound of Rhythm Is A Dancer.
On this occasion, Elanga lived up to his lyrics as United's saviour. His slick first-time finish past Jan Oblak belied his 19 years and has given United an unlikely advantage in a tie many of their players failed to show up for.
Atletico muzzled Bruno Fernandes, mollified Cristiano Ronaldo and neutered Paul Pogba. They hit the crossbar twice in either half and for 80 minutes had denied United an attempt on target. Then Elanga embarked on a run into the channel and the space opened up for Fernandes, wasteful up until then. He found his target, as did Elanga.
The euphoric United supporters chanted Elanga's song non-stop beyond the full-time whistle and during their lock-in. What a happier time that will have been. For 80 minutes, all they had was the satisfaction of sunshine and sightseeing.
Three years on from fielding a makeshift right-back in a Champions League qualifier in Spain, United came full circle and unfortunately for Victor Lindelof, he was the square peg rammed into a round hole again. At least this time United avoided a thrashing.
Inquests can be delayed for another three weeks, at least. The away goals rule has been abolished and United's recent home record has been littered with results to Atletico's preference. They are still in danger of entering the March internationals without any silverware up for grabs since 2015.
For almost the entirety of the night, a club that places the emphasis on the collective outplayed the individualists. Little wonder it took the resilient whippersnapper Elanga, an adopted Mancunian with a unique understanding of United. Ronaldo did not express his appreciation for the 3,300 United fans at full-time. Elanga did.
This is the weakest Atletico team in European knockout football since Diego Simeone took charge more than a decade ago yet, with their vibrant mosaic, fervent following and committed artisans, they are still a team to avoid. If one of the teams played in the image of the Spain coach Luis Enrique, in attendance, it was those in the red and white shirts. Ronaldo's name was whistled loudly and the Atleti aficionados had not forgotten about Raphael Varane's Real roots.
Whether it is the longevity of their coach, the succession planning of their recruitment or the spectacular stadium, Atletico are United's yardstick. The Wanda Metropolitano's neon red lights that illuminate the roof possibly symbolise the shade the players turn after a shift. United's possession teetered on 70% and it was almost exclusively meaningless until Elanga mixed it up.
A recurring theme of United's season is they wilt in front of partisan home supporters, most recently the first nine minutes of the second-half at Elland Road. That was still one of Rangnick's best games and in Madrid he had one of the worst.
Rangnick eventually acknowledged his tactical errors by introducing Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Alex Telles, as well as Nemanja Matic for the ponderous Paul Pogba. Three defensive changes while trailing 1-0 without an attempt on target was peculiar and the first outright attacking introduction was delayed until the 75th minute. There was undoubted logic behind it and Matic was key in turning the tide.
Scott McTominay, out altogether through illness, was undeniably missed. McTominay and Fred are squad players who have been overplayed the last three years yet their presence offers United balance. Fred was relocated to the base of midfield when his skill set has been maximised in an advanced role on Rangnick's watch.
The midfield was too loose and the situation exacerbated by Pogba and Fernandes, each repeatedly dispossessed. The myth Premier League players are afforded more time on the ball on the continent does not apply against Atletico's artisans.
Experimenting with Lindelof as an auxiliary right-back was inexplicable. Both of Atletico's standout chances in the first-half came down Lindelof's side. If Rangnick was so insistent on starting Lindelof then midfield - where he played in his youth - would have been more logical.
Atletico's full-backs were conventional and mostly clinical. Renan Lodi was a menace, whipping in a pinpoint cross for Joao Felix, on his toes while Harry Maguire was on his heels, for the breakthrough and another centre from the left wing-back was turned onto the crossbar by Sime Vrsaljko, venturing in from the right.
Ronaldo was so frustrated he withdrew to the halfway line to get a feel for the ball. and became more agitated, ending the first-half berating the fourth official. Fred and Fernandes had heated exchanges. Remarkably, Rangnick resisted a change at the interval.
United's quizzical XI kept everyone guessing until the warm-up, when their defenders worked in a group of four. Atletico were transparent, confirming a back three through their own Twitter feed which Uefa still ignored when they published their own line-up.
Any attempt to throw Atletico failed and tragicomically, United were breached via a cross from Lindelof's vicinity. David de Gea was rollocked by Maguire in the opening moments for refusing to leave from his goal line at the cost of a preventable corner. Fernandes dithered on the ball once and then twice. Maguire was too slow to mind the alert Joao Felix.
The United supporters, with a bird's eye view in the third tier, were vocal and audible, particularly when Luis Suarez's name was announced. The rallying cry of 'United' was swiftly drowned out as Ronaldo stood over a dead ball 20 yards out. The ball went over. Two minutes later, it went in.
Then the Mancunians were properly heard.
