In truth, it was not just the omission of Rooney that benefited United. They looked a far slicker outfit with Ander Herrera anchoring the midfield than the clunky figure of Marouane Fellaini but it is clear the spotlight is fixed firmly on Rooney.

Jose Mourinho has been criticised in some quarters for not jettisoning Rooney when he first arrived at Old Trafford but he knew that if he gave the player a chance and it was not taken, few would be likely to turn around and question the wisdom of dropping him.

In the end, it only took Rooney seven games to play his way out of the side, and while Chris Smalling, who assumed the captaincy against Leicester, offered some words of support to his team-mate and “our main man”, few would be surprised if this signalled the start of the forward becoming a more peripheral figure at Old Trafford.