As Harry Maguire continues to struggle, Manchester United would probably benefit from a new captain and in an ideal world the leading candidate would be Cristiano Ronaldo.
The 36-year-old is the club’s best player. If he chose to lead others would follow.
Yet Ronaldo has not shown himself to be of that standard during his second spell at Old Trafford and that is a shame. So far, his season has been a curious mix of brilliance and irrelevance with the occasional moment of apparent contempt throw in.
Ronaldo’s return was not a mistake.