A middle-aged fan of Bristol City, while collecting his ticket near the Tony Currie Stand, noticed another fan and approached to emphasize the significance of his dedication, especially on a school evening.

The person he addressed was a young boy, likely no more than nine years old, proudly wearing a Robins shirt over his hoodie, as kids ought to display their team colors. He stood beside his guardian on a mobility scooter, trying to contain his pride. Although the encounter was brief, it concluded with the man declaring, “miracles do happen, you know,” before cheerfully moving on, filled with hope and optimism, whether realistic or not.

In truth, miracles are rare, even on the unpredictable play-off stage. On Monday night, the boy learned a lesson more valuable than anything from school the following day: don’t set your heart on mere dreams.

Maguire was at Bramall Lane to watch his former side become record breakers, with former Sky favourite Chris Kamara also there. Kamara played for United on loan in the early 90s – and both of them couldn’t have been any less than impressed with what they saw.

Bristol City were superb for half an hour. Really very good in how they manoeuvred Sheffield United, without penetrating and chipping away at that three-goal deficit from the disastrous Thursday night down at Ashton Gate. There felt like something might be here for them, to surprisingly etch names into play-off folklore. Liam Manning bobbed and fidgeted as Scott Twine’s snapshot bobbled wide, when Nakhi Wells threatened from distance. 

Harry Maguire was in attendance as Sheffield United stormed to the Championship play-off final on Monday

Chris Kamara was also in attendance as Chris Wilder’s side beat Bristol City 6-0 on aggregate

Callum O’Hare scored his side’s third goal of the game as they secured 3-0 wins in both games

Wilder’s side were up against it in the first half an hour but eventually took control to win the tie

But the size of this mountain was just too great. Not just the first leg result but the comparative budgets – Chris Wilder might have done tremendously after beginning with a threadbare squad at the start of the season yet still has decent finances to fall back on – and the 22-gap between these sides in the table. Twenty-two is a vast expanse.

And it all meant that despite the City pressure, the free-flowing attacking and the nearly moments, Bramall Lane never went truly nervous. It quietened somewhat in the opening exchanges, with this goalless and United incapable of registering a shot on target, but never to a degree that materially impacted what happened before them.

Wilder encouraged the celebrations, too. ‘I just spoke to the players and went look after yourselves and look after each other and then I thought if I was a player would I have a beer tonight if I was a player? 100 per cent,’ he said. ‘You’ve got to enjoy nights like this, it’s been an incredibly challenging season for us and to have a night like this at home in front of our spectators I think gives the boys a boost and the recognition that they really deserve.

‘That was tough. The scoreline didn’t represent the challenge. They’re an awkward side with a smart, intelligent coach. I thought we had everything to lose. I don’t think my team is arrogant or complacent.

Sheffield United will face either Coventry City or Sunderland in the May 24 final at Wembley, an occasion that will determine who are favourites to finish 20th in next year’s Premier League in this grim reality we now live in. You can argue that it is wrong to bring that up right now and how teams should enjoy their successes and there is probably some merit to that complaint yet United’s recent experiences suggest it is an inescapable, even with a final to look forward to.

They can relish that after reaching it with genuine ease by the end. Kieffer Moore headed in the first, four minutes before half time, and the Championship Player of the Season Gustavo Hamer’s deflected effort seven minutes after the restart made sure. Both came from corners, an area in need of improvement for City all term, and it finished how everybody here – bar perhaps that bloke outside earlier on – had expected.

The top three in this division amassed 290 points between them – two centuries and a measly 90 for Wilder’s side – as part of this weird yo-yo league comprising little more than six teams.

Although this tie has, in some part, been defined by Rob Dickie’s red card last week, that the team in third hammered the team in sixth by six clear goals over two legs – Callum O’Hare added another late on – is a record and grimly predictable. So predictable that City’s early flamboyance felt like a victory in itself.