Regardless of the outcome of Manchester United's trip to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea on Saturday, Cristiano Ronaldo was always going to dominate the pre-match and post-match discussion.
The 37-year-old was left out of Erik ten Hag's squad for disciplinary reasons after refusing to step off the bench during United's 2-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday night.
Erik ten Hag made an example of the five-time Ballon d'Or winner, banishing him from United's squad for the trip to Stamford Bridge and forcing him to train on his own at Carrington on Friday.
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In truth, Ronaldo has not been at the forefront of Ten Hag's plans so far this season. The Portuguese ace has started just two of United's 11 Premier League matches this term, despite their limited options up front.
It could, perhaps, be considered as nothing more than a coincidence, but the only two games that United have failed to score in in the Premier League so far this season are the two games that Ronaldo has started, those being the 4-0 drubbing at Brentford in August and last weekend's goalless draw with Newcastle United at Old Trafford.
United, albeit in different circumstances, were awful in the first half of both games, showing very little attacking threat, even if they were a lot more defensively sound against Newcastle than they were at Brentford. They were better after the restart against Newcastle and should have won the game, but they were a far cry from reaching some of the performance levels they have so far produced under Ten Hag.
To date, the wins over Liverpool and Tottenham have seen United produce their best performances under Ten Hag so far and Ronaldo only racked up four minutes worth of action in those two games combined. They look a better, more rounded side without him, even if he remains, certainly on paper, their biggest goal threat.
And that is an opinion that was shared by Neville ahead of kick-off at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
"Well, it has been a big week for Erik ten Hag," Neville told Sky Sports. "I don't think he was left with any other option [but to leave him out]. That's the second time Cristiano Ronaldo has left Old Trafford and got in his car before his team have got back into the changing room. I have to say, as someone in the dressing room, it's something that's unacceptable.
"When you look at whether Cristiano should be selected, Manchester United are better without him - and Erik ten Hag knows that. The only thing that Cristiano and the club can do is get together in the next week and end the relationship."
United's performance at Chelsea, though it so nearly offered no reward, was one of much encouragement. They were the better side for long spells and should have been at least one goal to the good by the half-time interval.
Again, they looked more complete and unified as a team without Ronaldo, proving Neville's pre-match statement to be correct. United carry a great threat without his presence and the amount of occasions Ten Hag has chosen to overlook him this season has proven that.
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