Marcus Rashford’s transfer to Barcelona from Manchester United was brokered in part by a former semi-professional referee and darts nut turned respected commercial and technology lawyer.

The Manchester-born United fan who netted twice on his debut seemed like a fairytale story, and for a while it was, with the then-18-year-old even playing a part in a major trophy win as Manchester United won a first FA Cup in 13 years that May.

Marcus Rashford’s childhood dream turned into a nightmare after a clash of personalities, tactics and an ill-informed nightclub trip.