The Frenchman hit the high notes in Italy but has failed to recreate that form on a regular basis since returning to Old Trafford
When Andrea Pirlo departed the greatest stage of all, he did so with tears running down his cheeks and Paul Pogba’s arm over his shoulder.
Juventus’ magnificent charge towards an incredible treble in 2015 had fallen at the final hurdle with Champions League final defeat to Barcelona in Berlin and it was just too much for the wonderful Italian maestro.
But, as Pirlo said his farewells ahead of his last footballing hurrah with New York City, Juve fans were comforted by the knowledge that the man embracing him was maturing into one of the great midfielders himself.