Ten minutes before full-time and with their team well beaten, Manchester United's fans launched high in the still end of St James' park in their tribute number for Ruben Amorim and did not stop until the last whistle.
If you have never heard it before, it will be sung on the melody of Bonnie Tyler's 'It's a Heartache'. How appropriate. Amorim has had enough of this since he left a perfect job at Sporting Lisbon in November for the madness of Old Trafford. Eleven of his 32 games ended in the defeat, a record that would read a lot worse, were it not for the Europa League.
United's 4-1 humiliation by Newcastle was a record-similar 14th Premier League defeat of the season, which confirms that the biggest club in English will end with their lowest points in the history of a competition they have won 13 times.
Afterwards, Amorim wore the frown of a gambler who knows that he is in possession of a losing hand and just tries to pour his way to the end of the game.
'Bluffers' is what Roy Keane labeled United's players on Sunday, but in reality it is Amorim who desperately tried to shake his cards and wished he had a few aces.
“Ruben Amorim is scratching his head,” said Keane on Sky Sports. “I bet he can't believe how bad this man of the man is United.
'I think the Premier League caught this manager and his coaching staff. I know people do their homework, but I think he went there and I think he is shocked about how bad this group of players are. '
Amorim made five changes from the team that attracted 2-2 with Lyon in the Euroopa League quarterfinals first stage in France last week with one eye on Thursday's return to Old Trafford. He gave Premier League debut to Altay Bayindir and Harry Amass and starts Christian Eriksen and Victor Lindelof who will say goodbye to United this summer.
Avoiding injuries was a big consideration and when Joshua Zirkzee was helped in the 55th minute with a hamstring injury that will certainly end his season, it was not only Rasmus Hojlund that came up, but also Mason Mount and Luke Shaw when they were Amass and Alejandro GarnaCho.
Amorim protected his players, even though United Momentum lost and did he quickly go 3-1 behind? “Yes,” he replied. “I waited 60 minutes, more or less, but then I got a little bit with one stop, not afraid, but to try to prevent more problems.”
First-choice Andre Onana was already watching this game on television at home to give the goalkeeper the chance to erase his head after a difficult night in Lyon, where he was responsible for both goals that United gave.
Given a rare opportunity, it is fair to say that Bayindir has hardly caught it with both hands. He had four goals in this season for the second time, and although the first three were not his fault, the fourth was certain. A bad kick -out was intercepted by Joelinton, allowing Harvey Barnes to score his second of the game and the misery of Compound United.
Good distribution from behind is important for the system of Amorim and Bayindir did not succeed in completing 30 of his 57 attempt to fit. It would be a surprise if Onana was not recovered for the second stage, although that will also bear an element of risk, based on events at the Groupama Stadium on Thursday evening.
To return to the gambling theme, Amorim is now all-in at the Europa League. Double or nothing. The last chance in these most miserable seasons for salvation and respectability. A trophy and a return to the Champions League elite next season. More money in the transfer Kitty and more a compliment to offer potential goals this summer.
The United Boss admitted as much as he tried to continue with the latest debacle about Tyneside as quickly as possible. “At the moment it is really difficult to have a good feeling about this game,” he said. 'It is best to concentrate on the next one. We cannot change this and the next one is huge for us.
'So we have to improve in many things and our position is a reflection of our versions this season. We can't do all the mistakes we made today. '
Amorim needs a great performance from his players. He needs them to get up and be counted. Enough of the heartache. He stands for a hero, as Bonnie Tyler would say.