Bruno Fernandes took the surprising role as calming force in his first game as Manchester United captain.
The Portuguese midfielder was wearing the armband on a full-time basis for the first time against Arsenal in a 2-0 friendly win.
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Seizing the job from Harry Maguire, who had the honour taken from him by manager Erik ten Hag ahead of the match, Fernandes scored the opener in a morale-boosting victory.
Jadon Sancho added the game’s other goal in a hectic first-half, which saw Ten Hag losing his cool with an official at the break.
The Dutchman went after one of the referee’s assistants in an angry fashion, but everyone was shocked to see who intervened.
Fernandes stepped up to pull Ten Hag away, and the head coach looked almost shocked.
It showed just how much the 28-year-old has matured in the role, considering some of his antics last season.
In March, the midfielder avoided punishment for putting his hand on linesman Adam Nunn during a 7-0 loss to Liverpool in which he was called a ‘disgrace’ by club legend Gary Neville.
He had earlier came in for criticism for booting a loose ball at Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong in the Europa League, while later in the competition’s semi-finals he was suspended from the second leg against Sevilla for an accumulation of yellow cards, and United went on to get knocked out.
Despite coming under intense criticism for his actions, he was defended by Ten Hag, who said: “I think he’s playing a brilliant season, he’s played an important role in the position that we are.
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“He’s giving energy to the team, he’s not only running a lot with high intensity, but also in the right way, in the right direction.
“He’s pointing and coaching players, he’s an inspiration for the whole team. But no one is perfect, everyone makes mistakes and everyone has to learn.
“I have to learn, and he will learn as well because he’s intelligent.
“I’m really happy to have Bruno Fernandes in my team and I’m happy with him as our captain with Harry not on the pitch.”
