"The minute a Manchester United player thought he was bigger than the manager, he had to go," Sir Alex Ferguson once said.
Right now at United, with Erik ten Hag in charge, there is an ongoing predicament that draws this quote into relevance. Before the 90th minute of United's victory over Tottenham Hotspur, cameras caught unused substitute Cristiano Ronaldo exiting down the tunnel.
Initially, it appeared that Ronaldo was frustrated at not having been brought on having warmed up on a number of occasions. But it has transpired that this was not the case, with Ten Hag since confirming that Ronaldo actually refused to come on.
He has been penalised for this with a banishment from the first team until after their meeting with Chelsea. A fine of two weeks' wages has also ensued, with Ronaldo forced to train alone by Ten Hag.
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Compounding the situation is that Ronaldo was warned for leaving the stadium during the second half of United's pre-season meeting with Rayo Vallecano in August. After that incident, Ten Hag said: "I certainly don't condone this. This is unacceptable, for everyone. We are a team and you have to stay until the end."
But that warning seemingly wasn't enough for Ronaldo to learn his lesson. For him to repeat the same thing two months later, this time in a competitive match, is inexcusable and undermining of Ten Hag and his values.
"After Vallecano, I told him it was unacceptable," Ten Hag said in his press conference in advance with the meeting with Chelsea. "This is the second time - there are consequences."
It is no coincidence that Ronaldo's actions have been placed so heavily under the spotlight. He is clearly aware that the cameras will always be on him, and leaving the pitch early while his team were gaining plaudits for performing at their highest level in a long time was always going to thrust him back into the limelight - just how he wants it.
Even though Ten Hag was insistent that he wouldn't allow for the matter to become a distraction in the immediate aftermath of his side's win against Spurs, it has gained traction to the extend that it has somewhat overshadowed the splendour of Wednesday's proceedings.
It is wholly understandable that Ronaldo is frustrated at playing a more sporadic role, starting games much less often than he is accustomed to. Whether his early exit was a manner of making a stand is purely a matter of speculation. But, regardless of irritation at decisions made by the manager, standards have to be abided by and rules cannot be flouted.
Refusing to play for your team is indicative of a lamentable lack of commitment, which is baffling for a player so richly engraved as one of the greatest players in football history. The egos of football players are becoming concerningly overbearing in the modern game.
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At least there are positive points that have materialised from the situation. Ten Hag dealt with the issue decisively and, despite the media furore, there seems to have been little disruption internally.
His approach to punish Ronaldo with banishment from the squad to face Chelsea along with a monetary fine was ruthless but necessary, proving early on in his tenure that he won't stand for any nonsense from anyone.
Authority and a disciplinarian approach has been a necessity in order to get a squad that have lacked discipline over time back in line. Ten Hag outlined some strict rules in the lead-up to the season, and he is admirably sticking to his guns.
"I am the manager, I am responsible for the culture here and I have to set standards and values and I have to control them," he also said in his pre-Chelsea press conference. "In the team, we have values and standards and I have to control that."
He has already demonstrated that he won't succumb to pressure from the media, and he similarly hasn't capitulated when working with characters like Ronaldo despite little prior experience.
It is by far Ten Hag's biggest job to date, especially when you factor in the circus surrounding a club of United's stature. But, thus far, he has stepped right up to the mark in a number of regards.
He is trying to build something at the club, with the victory over Spurs an encapsulation of the promise Ten Hag brings. But such heights cannot be consistently achieved with disruption among the group, hence Ten Hag's swift move to penalise Ronaldo and simultaneously set a precedent for the rest of the squad.
If you disrespect the values of the person in charge in any workplace, punishment is warranted. Football should be no different. Why tolerate petulant, deviant behaviour?
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It is evident that Ten Hag is desperate to convey that, logically, no player is 'bigger' than their club. He has continually disregarded individual status throughout the season so far: he hasn't felt obliged to play Ronaldo when others are perceived as being better suited to his system, he has dropped club captain Harry Maguire from the starting side, and he favoured Scott McTominay to Casemiro for a phase due to strong form.
Choosing the side that you feel gives the best chance of winning matches is imperative for managers, and doing so while not including players such as Ronaldo where he views it necessary exemplifies that Ten Hag is doing his job correctly.
It is wrong that narratives across social media are framing Ten Hag as being a ruinous presence in the conclusion of Ronaldo's illustrious career. By no means is it disrespectful from Ten Hag to not be including Ronaldo as regularly as he may desire, instead it is laudable that he views each player as being on a completely level playing field.
It further comes across as disrespectful on Ronaldo's behalf that such devious actions contribute to him exuding a sense of being on a pedestal above his team-mates, which is a bad look given he should be an example figure for others within the squad.
It is selfish that his actions late on against Spurs diverted large amounts of attention away from the successes of his team-mates. As part of the squad, he should stick with them. But he wasn't present as they celebrated arguably the club's best performance in recent years.
Significant is that reports have suggested the players didn't even really notice Ronaldo's absence post-match, which speaks to his actual involvement within the team ethic. It would appear he isn't any major part of the improving camaraderie.
"Football is a team sport," Ten Hag tellingly said as part of an answer as he was grilled on the situation in his media briefing ahead of the trip to Stamford Bridge.
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So, what is next for Ronaldo?
In terms of the immediate future, Ten Hag hasn't explicitly declared a return date, only hinting at prospective conversations that will determine Ronaldo's involvement in the near future. If all goes well, one would imagine he will be involved against Sheriff at Old Trafford next week.
At least in public, Ten Hag maintains that Ronaldo will remain a necessary part of his squad. But, especially after this debacle, you could imagine a scenario where United would be keen to accept any approach in January in order to turn to alternatives available on the market.
Contrary to the belief of many, concrete reports have clarified that Ronaldo could have left the club at the end of the summer window if an offer arrived. But no offers did arrive.
And, from here on in, will clubs really be attracted by the deteriorating conduct that Ronaldo is displaying? In addition to extortionate wage demands, it would seem illogical for possible suitors not to be put off by recent instances of digressive behaviour.
Still, if possible, a January exit would probably be best for all parties, otherwise there is risk of any departure becoming less and less amicable.
There have been situations like this in the past whereby a manager is displeased with a players', for instance between Roy Keane and Ferguson. Keane never lost his legendary status, and Ronaldo likely wouldn't either. But any further accumulation of exhibits of contempt will tint his legacy.
Ronaldo will have to join his team-mates in buying into Ten Hag's principles before it gets to a point of no return.
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