In a decision that was as dubious as his penalty, Cristiano Ronaldo walked away from Portugal's opening game of the World Cup with the Man of the Match award but he did little to give Manchester United any reason to re-think his departure.
Portgual laboured but, despite the best efforts of goalkeeper Diogo Costa who nearly did a Shay Given in the dying seconds, they managed to overcome a spirited Ghana to win 3-2. As is ever the case, Ronaldo was at centre stage.
The apparently capacity crowd (though the echoes and empty seats betrayed a much smaller attendance) were utterly besotted by the former United man. Every time his face appeared on screen and every touch of the ball dragged elicited cheers and the 'Sui' following his goal might have sent a couple of the surrounding cargo containers sprawling.
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He was always going to be the story. Earlier this week, in a brief statement that totalled 67 words, United confirmed that Ronaldo would be leaving the club in the aftermath of his nuclear interview with Piers Morgan.
"Cristiano Ronaldo is to leave Manchester United by mutual agreement, with immediate effect," it read. "The club thanks him for his immense contribution across two spells at Old Trafford, scoring 145 goals in 346 appearances, and wishes him and his family well for the future.
"Everyone at Manchester United remains focused on continuing the team’s progress under Erik ten Hag and working together to deliver success on the pitch."
It's incredible to think that such a legacy and storied history with the club could conclude with three curt paragraphs but, if anything, it was more than what Ronaldo deserved after his scorched earth approach, especially after showing such massive disrespect to Erik ten Hag.
For once, the club acted like a club. It didn't stand for such blatant insubordination, backed their managed and made the right decision. Yet, it can't be denied that it leaves United in a bind given their complete lack of options up front. They were already light with Ronaldo but now they only have Marcus Rashford and the perenially injured Anthony Martial to rely upon. A move or two in the January transfer market for reinforcements must surely now be considered, despite John Murtough's repeated claims that they won't be.
In this scenario, with a return to the top four by no means a guarantee, it could be easy for some supporters to panic. To ask if the club acted a little too eager to bring an end to Ronaldo's time at Old Trafford. The answer, of course, is no. Yet seeing Ronaldo win and score a penalty for the opening goal and then play a key part in the second in the first game since the departure could intensify those feelings for some.
But that would be to ignore the trend of the rest of the game. Ronaldo did well to steal in front of Mohammed Salisu but the penalty was soft at best and a blatant dive that should have been overturned at worst. He despatched it with customary inevitability but that can't take away from the fact that in the first half he once again missed two easy chances that he would have converted with ease just 12 months ago.
While Ronaldo sprung to life for Joao Felix's goal his overall link-up play remained non-existent. He made fewer passes than any other Portugal starter, including the goalkeeper, with just 15 and repeatedly wasted the ball in advantageous positions. It's that side of the No.7's game that just could not co-exist with what Ten Hag is trying to build.
In fact, it was Bruno Fernandes who was far more impressive with a slick, all-action display in which he moved the ball around nicely and set up two goals with incisive through balls. It's he who should have been awarded the garish Budweiser trophy.
So though the headlines may once again be all Ronaldo's, United can rest easy knowing he has done nothing to warrant regret over his exit.
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