Manchester United midfielder Fred has joined teammate Lisandro Martinez in focusing on the players who delivered the victory over Tottenham rather than on Cristiano Ronaldo's behaviour.
Ronaldo stormed down the tunnel towards the end of the 2-0 victory, in which Brazil international Fred opened the scoring.
Manager Erik ten Hag had opted to introduce Anthony Elanga and Christian Eriksen as late substitutes, with Ronaldo also an option, and the Portugal star made his feelings clear despite the boss having further substitutions available to him.
Martinez admitted he didn't see what was going on with Ronaldo, with his focus on enjoying the victory with those who contributed on the pitch. The centre-back's comments laid bare the situation around last season's top scorer, and Fred's words only serve as a further reminder.
"It was a collective game which was very important for our team," former Shakhtar man Fred said after the victory. "We did good pressing and we built a result with all the hard work that we've done. It's a collective result and a very important one.
"Our team worked hard for this. We are adapting with the new coach, the pre-season and now starting the season, game after game. So we talk in the changing room, we help each other.
"This win was very important to the team," added the 29-year-old, who started alongside compatriot Casemiro in midfield. It was the first time he has started back-to-back games, and his goal - a deflected effort early in the second half - was his first for United since April
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Ronaldo scored a hat-trick against Spurs last season, and has an impressive recent record against the London side. However, Ten Hag decided he did not need to use the 37-year-old, with Marcus Rashford leading the line and playing the full 90 minutes.
The victory meant United have lost just one of their last eight matches as they continue their recovery from a slow start continues. A defensive partnership between Martinez and Raphael Varane has played its part, with Ten Hag's team recording clean sheets in the last two matches, and this was where the Argentine's focus seemed to lie.
"I didn't see anything," Martinez had said earlier when the Ronaldo situation was fresh in the minds of those watching at Old Trafford. "I don't know. I only enjoy with the people, we won, and that's important."
Former England striker Alan Shearer was on commentary duty at Old Trafford, and sympathised with Ronaldo after the frontman's record in front of goal. Even he couldn't escape the result, though, with United continuing to thrive without the former Juventus star.
"I understand his [Ronaldo's] frustration that he's not been able to get on the pitch," Shearer said on Amazon Prime Video Sport. "But if you look at the bigger picture his team have put in a really good performance tonight and the manager had a big call to make in leaving him out but it's turned out to be the right decision because they've done everything right."
