Both Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes and Manchester City’s João Cancelo added to a post from Portugal teammate and Wolves striker Daniel Podence, who had criticised the idea on their Instagram. Fernandes added the comment “dreams can’t be bought”.

Ex-Real Madrid, Barcelona and Inter Milan midfielder Luís Figo - whose former clubs have all signed up to the Super League - was equally scathing, saying it was the result of greed and called it tragic.