The sight of Manchester United's players offering futile thanks to thousands of empty red seats was an image that defined the painful embarrassment they suffered at the hands of Manchester City.
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If last season offered genuine hope United were making forward strides under the management of Erik ten Hag, with the Carabao Cup bringing their first trophy since 2017 along with a return to the Champions League, then this campaign is starting to resemble a dismal and rapid retreat.
United and their fans never enjoy defeat by Manchester City, but when it is inflicted with the ease of their rivals' 3-0 win at Old Trafford, it increases the hurt while bringing the gulf between these two rivals into even sharper relief.
When Phil Foden tapped in City's third ten minutes from time, Erling Haaland the provider after scoring the first two goals, the rush for the exits demonstrated that United's fans had seen enough. Those who remained at least had the consolation of probably beating the worst of the traffic.
Old Trafford was sparsely populated when referee Paul Tierney sounded his final whistle, apart from the noise from joyous City fans in one corner revelling in heaping scorn on Ten Hag and his players.
Ten Hag and Harry Maguire were in conversation with Tierney when United's grim spectacle concluded, presumably about City's first-half penalty award after Rasmus Hojlund fouled Rodri, but if they were complaining those gripes rang deafeningly hollow after what Old Trafford witnessed.
The day started with a poignant tribute to the late Sir Bobby Charlton, with the Sir Alex Ferguson Stand adorned with a giant mosaic in his memory.
What followed was a chastening demonstration of just how superior City are to United. After those optimistic signs last term, which even included a Premier League win against City at Old Trafford, these are now worrying times for Ten Hag and Manchester United.
It is hard to see what Ten Hag's plan is. There is currently no structure and identity to United. He received praise when it was due last season but must be questioned now, not just in transfer policy but also in-game management.