This could be a Manchester United dressing room that dances to Cristiano Ronaldo's beat. Six of the outfield players who started in the defining performance against Tottenham were South American or Portuguese and the squad is characterised by their aggression and hunger now.
Instead, Ronaldo has ostracised himself from the team and the way back looks too long and too winding for a 37-year-old to navigate. The only thing United might be missing at the moment are his goals, but then there's only been one from open play in 695 minutes this season.
Erik ten Hag has taken a tough stance against Ronaldo, the Dutchman putting an end to the days of player power at Old Trafford, but he does still want his players to be demonstrable on the pitch. He wants personality out there and the fire of Lisandro Martinez and Casemiro feels like the new United.
