Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson ripped up the play book by withdrawing Wayne Rooney for Saturday's draw at Everton.
When United's team coach pulled up outside Goodison Park, Rooney was nowhere to be seen, having been left in the Lowry by Ferguson.
"We made a decision simply because he gets terrible abuse here," the Scot said, having told reporters 24 hours earlier he would not countenance questions about the player's "private life".
Such pre-emptive action is unprecedented in Ferguson's 24 years at United. When, for instance, Eric Cantona returned to Leeds after forsaking them for United, the build-up focused on the hostile reception awaiting him. Elland Road responded with all the bile it could muster, but Cantona never missed a game there.