While not quite as dramatic as Sunday's events at Old Trafford, those who tuned into watch Manchester United's rearranged game against Bournemouth on Tuesday may have observed that something was slightly amiss before the game.
Indeed, journalist Sam Wallace was quick on the uptake after noticing that several of United's mascots had taken on a strange blue-ish hue.
Three MUFC mascots painted blue as part of promotion of club's commercial partner 20th Century Fox's new X-Men movie pic.twitter.com/m3uralo1a8
- Sam Wallace (@SamWallaceTel) May 17, 2016
In fact, as Wallace notes, it quickly became apparent that United had painted a couple of their player escorts blue to promote the latest X-Men movie as part of the club's ongoing commercial partnership with 20th Century Fox.
A closer look revealed that the youngsters were even made to wear false facial hair as part of the deal.
@ManUtd Paint Pre-Match Mascots Blue To Promote New X-Men Film (Photos) https://t.co/fH13ZHwU1k pic.twitter.com/DQKiZ9yloZ
- Who Ate All The Pies (@waatpies) May 18, 2016
Harmless money-spinning fun, or another nail in the coffin of professional football? You be the judge.