Andy Webster waved goodbye to United then thanked them for giving him a shot at glory.
The central defender’s unique feat of captaining a team to Scottish Cup success while on loan from another club will never be forgotten at Tannadice.
He goes back to Rangers now, with his season-long deal having come to an end, harbouring a real sense of gratitude to the Tangerines.
“It has been a great thing for me and given me the opportunity to play football,” said Webster.
“This is certainly a nice way to sign off, winning the Scottish Cup! It is up there with my greatest achievements.
“It is something which, as a team, we have thoroughly deserved.
“I never expected this much.
If you set targets and goals and don’t achieve them then you can leave yourself disappointed. So I just came to United knowing that I would be part of a good side and it’s gone really, really well.
“From the outset it was a season-long loan and that’s where it stands.
“I know both the United management and the chairman worked hard to get me here and I hope I have repaid them in some small way.”
That is the understatement of the year, surely, with Webster one of the best players in the country this term, not just at Tannadice.AchievementAnd he did not let the fact it would be his last game for United distract him from the task in hand at Hampden.
“It was a great occasion for the club because to win any major trophy is a great achievement and the Scottish Cup is so special.
“I thought we played well and created the better chances.
“Knowing I was leaving was not something I was worried about or gave too much thought to.
“I was fully committed to United and to making sure the boys had the opportunity to lift the cup.”
Webster took one handle of the cup, with the now retired club captain Lee Wilkie taking the other.
His career ended by injury, Wilkie had to be pushed into sharing centre stage with the team skipper.
“He had to be cajoled into going up to collect the cup but I don’t think he has had to be cajoled into the celebrating!” said Webster.
“We all wanted him to go up but he was a bit reluctant.
“It was a fitting tribute to him. I just gave him a quick push up the stairs to get him up there.”