What has been so disappointing about Manchester United's poor start to the new season is that so many players who shone last term have looked lost during this one. It was after a defeat to Brentford in the second match a year ago that Erik ten Hag's side finally took shape and laid the initial blueprints for the surge up the table that was to follow.
A year on, there has yet to be a dramatic turnaround in fortunes, and United's three most reliable players have all looked a shell of their former selves so far. The 25-year-old should not be judged entirely on his goals and assists, though it is hard to ignore how blunt he has been so far this season as well as some questionable decision-making in the final third.
The Argentine shone not only because of his quality in possession of the ball and his ability to start attacks from deep but also because he is primarily very good at defending as well. And then there's Casemiro. He was indisputably world-class in his heyday, but United knew from the start that they were getting a player on the decline, as indicated by Real Madrid's willingness to sell him.