Manchester United's thrilling 4-4 draw with Bournemouth was notable for Kobbie Mainoo being called on to inspire the side when behind - and his brother's antics in the stands.
Kobbie Mainoo comes on during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Bournemouth at Old Trafford.
Kobbie Mainoo comes on during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Bournemouth at Old Trafford.
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Thanks to Casemiro, Kobbie Mainoo's brother should get what he wants when Manchester United face Aston Villa on Sunday.
Perhaps the Brazilian had got an early glimpse of his T-shirt and deliberately got himself booked to help out. Maybe he just wanted a couple of days off before Christmas. Or, and let's be honest, the most true reason, the seasoned former Real Madrid midfielder knew he needed to bring down Marcus Tavernier as he lined up a shot from the edge of the box. Unfortunately for Casemiro, he was booked, is banned for the trip to Villa Park, and Tavernier scored anyway.
His ban should do what Mainoo's brother, a former Love Island contestant, is apparently desperate to see: Free Kobbie Mainoo.
But if it doesn't and Ruben Amorim elects to call upon another - perhaps Manuel Ugarte - and the 20-year-old England midfielder is not given his first Premier League start of the season on Sunday, then he really has to push for a move away from Old Trafford.
Of course, the club's hierarchy are under no obligation at all to let Mainoo go - whether Amorim has him in his next starting line-up or not. And Mainoo's contract is relatively modest by United's standards, not a drain on finances and still has 18 months left to run.
The player is keen to get more game time as he pushes for a World Cup spot. But, harsh as this may well be, that's irrelevant to Amorim and United.
Make no mistake, the rest of the season is huge to the United boss. It could make or break his Old Trafford tenure. United don't have European commitments after last season's horror and frankly there are no excuses if United fail to secure a Champions League place for next season. None at all.
Thus, if Amorim feels Mainoo - in any way, shape or form - can help him get United there, then he is perfectly entitled to keep him. Some of us now believe a parting of the ways would be best, as Amorim clearly wants something in his midfield that he doesn't believe the England international can do for him.
But even it's that's true, then if Amorim wants to keep him at the club, Mainoo must simply get on with it.
However, what he could really do without is his brother's T-shirt sideshow.
It has nothing to do with the player himself, let’s get that straight. No-one could question Mainoo’s professionalism. Absolutely not. No-one could accuse Mainoo of feeling he is entitled to a regular starting place. Absolutely not.
Some do, however. Mainoo's brother is not alone in that regard. But his actions don't help. Mainoo needs to prove himself to his manager, who is going nowhere.
Last season, Amorim started Mainoo 12 times in the Premier League. United lost eight. They won only two. Of those two wins, United trailed Southampton 1-0 at half-time when Amorim hauled off Mainoo. United won 3-1.
In his last six Premier League starts United have lost five and drawn one. His performance on Monday night was good enough, but he didn't stand out - and while United fought back to lead 4-3, it was Bournemouth who finished stronger and looked more likely winners before the final whistle blew.
There are no obvious signs of Amorim keeping Mainoo on the fringes because he is not convinced about his character - no matter what Paul Scholes and other hypercritical pundits say. Quite simply, Amorim isn't convinced Mainoo is one of his best midfield options and thus doesn't play him.
That might seem odd to those of use who watched his emergence, where his maturity and composure stood out. But right now, Amorim's is the view that matters.
Hopefully, his brother's T-shirt stunt doesn't see Mainoo cop any flak. But he now needs to roll up his sleeves and prove his worth to his manager.