It should have been a day in which Manchester United's illustrious pipeline of youth talent took centre stage. Instead, the win over Fulham was quickly overshadowed by someone at the other end of their playing career.
Only hours after Alejandro Garnacho had netted a dramatic winner at Craven Cottage, the positivity of United's win was dwarfed in comparison by Cristiano Ronaldo's bombshell interview and the repercussions of it.
A common theme throughout Ronaldo's lengthy sit-down with Piers Morgan was that of 'respect'. It is something Ronaldo doesn't feel he received from Erik ten Hag or the United hierarchy, though it is something he hasn't shown the club, former teammates, or the current squad.
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Garnacho idolises Ronaldo and has been in awe of him since making his first-team breakthrough. The Argentinian teenager has praised the Portuguese legend frequently on social media and pulled out his celebration to commemorate his goal at Real Sociedad. Ronaldo is also credited with having an influential impact on the youngster's recent fitness overhaul after he requested a bespoke muscle-growth regime.
Whatever mess he leaves behind, the 37-year-old has certainly contributed positively to Garnacho's recent form, but the greatest gift he has left could be the fresh fuel he has lit in the teenager's belly.
“All leagues in the world, the youngest now, they are not the same as my generation,” Ronaldo told TalkTV. “But we cannot blame them because it's part of the life, you know. The new generation and the new technologies that avoid, they distract them for another thing so…
“I remember when I was 18, 19, 20, I'm always looked to see the best players when Van Nistelrooy, Ferdinand, Roy Keane, and Giggs - this is why I have the success that I have and longevity. Because I take care of my body, my mentality, my head, because I see these guys and I learn from them.”
The hypocrisy is that the current youngsters are still looking to learn from the best, just as he did two decades ago. The difference is that instead of the ultimate professionals ahead of them, they are idolising a figure who remained silent when he signed and undermined the club by voicing his concerns in a high-profile television interview.
Garnacho should not only be angry that his crowning moment in his professional career was quickly overshadowed by 'Diva Ronaldo', but he should also be furious at the veteran's doubts about the work ethic and commitment of the current crop of youngsters.
Indeed, the criticism is particularly close to home for Garnacho given that both Ten Hag and Bruno Fernandes have criticised his attitude in recent weeks, but he is now reaping the rewards after his pre-season epiphany.
The 18-year-old is talked about as a player with great potential, and it is just that. Despite his stratospheric rise, he is still unproven at the highest levels, and he will only fulfill such promise if the obvious talent is matched by an equally impressive attitude.
Ronaldo's criticism of current young players should be further incentive for him to prove otherwise, while there is also the long-term incentive of his vacant No.7 shirt next summer.
At this moment in time, Antony, Jadon Sancho and Garnacho are considered the frontrunners to take the shirt at the end of the campaign, but whoever is successful in doing so will need to prove they are capable of handling the pressure that goes with it.
It is still far too early to tell if the Argentinian youngster will go on to become one of the leading players of his generation, but he certainly has all the raw attributes required.
Ronaldo is right to warn him about those distractions. Now it is up to Garnacho to prove him wrong for worrying in the first place.
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