It is two-and-a-half years since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer memorably stated he wanted to sign a striker who would be willing to 'break their nose in order' to score a goal. On Saturday night, Cristiano Ronaldo almost did exactly that.
Although he had a scrappy game, the Portuguese forward wasn't afraid to put his body on the line and got a bloodied nose to show for it, as he challenged Czech goalkeeper Tomas Vaclik for a high ball, taking a fist to the face.
"We need more goalscorers, more goals, someone who wants to break their nose or toe to score," Solskjaer previously warned. "It doesn’t always have to be nice goals. I need to challenge them more.”
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Manchester United's response was to sign Odion Ighalo on a short-term deal before Edinson Cavani was signed in the following window. They both fitted the brief as something different in attack; players who existed solely for the purpose of putting the ball into the net.
A year ago, Cavani was kept when his powers were dwindling and Solskjaer couldn't resist the temptation of re-signing Ronaldo, a seismic summer transfer that sent shockwaves through the footballing world.
Ronaldo prospered with 24 goals in 37 appearances; United did not. A tedious debate remains about whether or not they were better or worse without the Portuguese, and it is one that continues to divide the fanbase.
The 37-year-old is now a back-up option at United, but he remains the poster boy of Portugal at international level, even if he is being outshone by many of his teammates, two of whom share the Old Trafford limelight.
With a lack of playing time this season, Ronaldo appeared a little rusty on Saturday night, in a bizarre appearance that saw him waste numerous good chances, concede a penalty and, most notably, his gruesome collision with the opposing 'keeper.
Despite his poor display, the veteran forward played the entirety of the match. Not one of his four attempts was on target, though the last one, a mistimed header, fell straight into the path of Diogo Jota who sealed the 4-0 win in style at the back-post.
In contrast, his two United teammates shone. Diogo Dalot continued his impressive form with two goals, the second of which was a brilliant long-range effort, and Bruno Fernandes notched another assist for his collection.
Their stellar performances represented the changing of the guard at both club and international level, with even the most avid Ronaldo super fan well aware of his diminishing reputation and dwindling powers.
Though his latest appearance was another reminder of a career that is now into its twilight years, Ronaldo still showcased his natural instinct for goal, even if he was rusty in actually executing any of the chances that came his way.
Whenever Portugal got possession of the ball in the final third, the United forward would drift between the two opposing Czech centre-backs, offering a constant focal point in the box.
Even if the build-up play didn't directly go through Ronaldo, his very presence was enough to occupy two defenders, leaving plenty of room for others to exploit the space that was being left elsewhere.
This is something United experienced in their last Premier League outing against Arsenal too. Marcus Rashford's brace came after Ronaldo had entered the field, with the English forward benefitting from the huge amounts of space afforded to him while defenders were preoccupied with trying to nullify the Portuguese's threat.
It means that even when the legendary forward has a match to forget, he can still influence it for good, such is his physical presence and perpetual attacking threat as a striker who lurks in the box and has such a focus on trying to score goals.
The general consensus is that, no matter what happens between now and the end of the season, Ronaldo will leave next summer, given United's focus is on building a long-term project while he has his own conflicting short-term ambitions.
Losing him will not be viewed as a hammer blow for United, though those in the marketing departments might miss the commercial gains of having such a global force at their disposal.
What is clear is that Erik ten Hag will need to find a replacement who can offer the same traits in attack, and although his first few months at the club have focused on having a fluid forward line, there is also a need to have something different in attack in the form of a traditional centre-forward.
His powers might be on the decline, but Ronaldo still offers United something that nobody else does.
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