49 minutes into Sunday's stalemate between Manchester United and Newcastle United and the oldest player on the pitch, Cristiano Ronaldo, decided to use his vast experience to shamelessly try and steal the lead for the home side.
After the Portuguese superstar had been flagged offside, Nick Pope waited to take the resulting free-kick before Ronaldo stole the dead ball from him and rolled it into the open Newcastle goal. The veteran and his Red Devils teammates were adamant he was well within his rights to do so, arguing the free-kick had already been taken by Fabian Schar.
As referee Craig Pawson blew his whistle and disallowed the goal, as many as nine Manchester United players surrounded the official, shrieking in his face to argue why the goal should stand. Only Luke Shaw and David de Gea decided against sprinting over to give 43-year-old a piece of their mind.
READ MORE: Newcastle United star Nick Pope sheds light on furious Ronaldo row as Man United left reeling
Pawson, who has taken charge of 213 top flight games, thankfully stuck to his guns despite the protests. But the fact is a weaker, more inexperienced referee could easily have been swayed by the crowd of superstars arguing their case and asking for a review over at the monitor.
Like or loathe the behaviour of the Manchester United players, these are some of the most decorated in world football. Casemiro, Raphael Varane and Ronaldo didn't win 14 Champions League finals between them by being nice guys.
Newcastle players had their own opportunity to question a contentious decision when Callum Wilson was forced to the ground by Varane in the first-half. A huge penalty call that would have handed Eddie Howe's side the chance to take the lead in the early stages had it been given.
After Wilson was sandwiched in between the French defender and Lisandro Martinez, the Newcastle forward only briefly glanced at Pawson before getting to his feet to continue with the game. Almiron, the closest man to the incident, another who only gave a momentary glance to the official and a brief shrug before continuing with the game.
No other player ran to Pawson and demanded an explanation or thought to question him on whether he had missed a glaringly obvious error. Replays have since shown that on another day, most officials would have deemed it necessary to point to spot.
Howe will of course be pleased that his players are keeping their heads focused on the game. But after a plethora of decisions against them already this season, Newcastle could really do with a helping hand from the officials from time to time.
This isn't to advocate Newcastle players harassing and haggling with referees for every single decision. But if the Magpies want to upset the Premier League apple cart this season, they must sometimes channel the same ruthlessness as the top flight big six. Howe's side must be prepared to become unpopular as they mix it with the best teams in the country.
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