Outside Stamford Bridge in October, the topic was of whether Manchester United would make a change to a team that had produced the club's most complete and vibrant performance in five-and-a-half years.
A former United player said yes, they would replace Jadon Sancho but, no, Sancho started. Fred, the only player harshly dropped, replaced Sancho seven minutes into the second-half.
The first-half mirrored the Spurs match: United dominated, created clear-cut opportunities, ended it goalless and Sancho was the weak link. Sancho has not played since and the last time he was in the squad Anthony Elanga started ahead of him.
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Last month, Sancho removed all of his Instagram posts and switched his avatar to black to take a break from social media. A source confirmed he would prioritise his personal and professional life, a move supported by Gary Neville and several supporters online. Good on him for that.
Sancho has been training in the Netherlands under coaches recommended by Erik ten Hag and United stressed they are fully supportive of his individual programme. Sancho has not travelled with the United squad to Spain for their warm-weather training camp to "continue his individual training programme as part of a process to get back to his highest level".
It is understood the intention is for Sancho to rejoin the United squad at their Carrington training complex next week. Sancho had a tendency to meander after scoring vitally against Liverpool and Leicester when he has demonstrated he is borderline irrepressible when operating at an intense tempo.
Sancho was the standout performer on the pre-season tour of Thailand and Australia, so there is logic in eschewing training matches with teenagers and tame friendlies with shadow La Liga sides to prioritise improving aspects of his game.
Club staff say Sancho is brilliant when he is trusting of people. A source says it "takes a bit to get to know him" as Sancho is quiet and unassuming. People at United find when they broach a subject Sancho is engaged in he opens up swiftly.
Those who brave the bitter conditions on the country road that leads to United's Carrington training complex are unlikely to be disappointed if they ever encounter Sancho. He is regarded as one of the most generous with autograph hunters and values supporters, apparent when he donned shinpads gifted to him by a young fan.
Journalists know from first-hand experience how personable Sancho is. He asked the names of those assembled in the mixed zone at Leicester in September and shook everyone by hand before returning to the dressing room.
Those who deal with Sancho maintain he has not been deterred by the spiralling form he has not recovered from since the Manchester derby on October 2. Sancho lined up having scored three goals in the first seven games of the season, signalling United's seasonal momentum shift with a nerveless opener against Liverpool that elicited one of the loudest roars heard at Old Trafford.
City's opening goal stemmed from Sancho ceding possession and as soon as Phil Foden rifled the ball past David de Gea the United captain Bruno Fernandes turned on Sancho. Paul Scholes accused Sancho and Antony of failing to protect full-backs Tyrell Malacia and Diogo Dalot.
In the corresponding fixture at the Etihad in March, Sancho equalised stylishly whilst in the midst of his most vibrant form for United. Mismanaged by the indecisive Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, he adjusted to Ralf Rangnick's methods better than almost any teammate.
That was after the closure of attending his aunt's funeral in late January. The compassionate leave and the January internationals afforded Sancho three weeks to reset and the difference between his tepid cameo at Aston Villa and creative performance against Middlesbrough was like night and day. Sancho was deservedly named the player of the month for a gruelling February of seven games in 22 days.
Of the young players who abhorred criticism that Cristiano Ronaldo unsubtly alluded to in January, only Sancho had the gumption to near Ronaldo's level. That earned such approval that Ronaldo celebrated selflessly by making a beeline for Sancho after he squared for him to score against Tottenham.
With the number seven up for grabs next season and Sancho pointedly allocated 25 when he completed his £72.9million transfer, a renascent five months would be a compelling case to replace Ronaldo. Numerically, at least.
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