Even sat in the away dressing room, Manchester United's players would not have been able to escape the sounds of West Ham's celebrations.
There, in the depths of the soon-to-be demolished Boleyn Ground, the visiting players were left to contemplate how they had let Champions League qualification slip from their grasp, as fireworks crackled outside.
With 14 minutes to play, Anthony Martial had given Manchester United a 2-1 lead. Victory would have moved Louis van Gaal's side back into the top four for the first time since mid-December. They would only have needed to match Manchester City's result at Swansea in their season finale at home to Bournemouth - a team who have only managed to beat rock-bottom Aston Villa in their past seven matches.
Yet, two expert deliveries from Dimitri Payet - combined with two clinically accurate headers from Michail Antonio and Winston Reid - turned the game on its head, and left Manchester United needing a favour from Francesco Guidolin's Swansea on Sunday.
Afterwards, Van Gaal conceded to Sky Sports the defeat was a mental blow to his players. As much as he argued Swansea's case and pointed out Champions League qualification was "still possible", the Dutchman could not hide the opportunity missed.
After a season of supporter unrest at his style, Van Gaal has often fallen back on key results, such as wins at rivals Manchester City and Liverpool. Now, he and his side are on course to miss their major target of the campaign.
"I don't see it happening," said Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp, when asked whether Swansea could shock Manuel Pellegrini's men and do United a favour. "City will be hungry. You don't give the likes of Sergio Aguero another chance because they will lap it up."
City have taken just five points from their last 12 available and their 2-2 draw with Arsenal on Sunday had provided Manchester United with a way back into the top four.
Of course, seizing that opening was no easy task against a West Ham team and home support fired up by the occasion. A barrage of bottles as the Manchester United team bus made its way to the Boleyn signalled the visitors would not be in for an easy ride and, from the first whistle, West Ham had the top-four challengers pegged back.
Diafra Sakho struck after just 10 minutes and, after Antonio's equaliser cancelled out Anthony Martial's double, the hosts seemed to ride a wave of support to an historic victory. Manchester United's problem was failing to match West Ham's intensity.
"West Ham won every second ball. They wanted it more," said Redknapp. "Van Gaal said this was a special place for West Ham tonight, but surely it was special for Man United today, too? They had an opportunity to get into the top four. They were just out-fought in every department."
Manchester United must pick up the fight on Sunday and hope their neighbours City, who needed a late, late winner to see off Swansea at the Etihad in December, slip-up. There is no more they can do.
There has been debate as to whether a top-four finish and an FA Cup win could be seen as a positive season for Van Gaal's United. With the first part of that double now in doubt, it heaps even more onus on the club's Wembley date with Crystal Palace.
Big results at big moments have boosted Van Gaal at key points of this season. Now he needs some very big results to go his way.