The captain would not solve all of the club's ills but his return to the lineup would be timely following three defeats in four matches and the shameful performance at Spurs.
Manchester City's thumping at White Hart Lane on Saturday did not go down well whatsoever with the fans. Only 18-year-old Patrick Roberts, who was thrown to the lions for the final few minutes, escaped without any criticism. The rest got it in spades. Some, including Willy Caballero and Aleksandar Kolarov, were thrown under the metaphorical bus; it was a familiar story for those familiar with the club's ups and downs.