Manchester United were defeated 3-1 by Aston Villa at Villa Park yesterday in a disappointing performance by the Red Devils.
Leon Bailly, Lucas Digne, and Jacob Ramsay scored for United.
It served to highlight the importance of Bruno Fernandes, the club's primary creative force, on a day when United lacked creativity and inventiveness.
Fernandes was suspended after receiving a yellow card against West Ham. Cristiano Ronaldo captained the team in his absence.
After the game, United manager Jose Mourinho explained why he chose Ronaldo as captain, a decision that many questioned.
Ronaldo has struggled both on and off the field this season, with his public storming off against Tottenham exposing cracks in the player's relationship with Ten Hag.
Ten Hag explained why he trusted the 37-year-old with the armband: "Cristiano is the leader, especially the team leader, so he has the band, clear."
Before naming Ronaldo as captain, the Dutch coach named two other surprising candidates who could have received the honor.
"Casemiro is the leader, but Licha [Martinez] has the potential to be a leader." Casemiro does not speak perfect English."
David de Gea was another name mentioned by Ten Hag as a possible alternative captain pick.
It says a lot about Martinez and Casemiro's personalities that they are already being referred to as the team's leaders and can be trusted as Ten Hag's lieutenants just months after arriving at Old Trafford.
The pair have been solid thus far, and while they may not have been as good against Unai Emery's team, one can't help but believe they'll be back to their swashbuckling selves in the next game.