From one angle it looked like Casemiro had throttled Will Hughes by the neck. From another, it looked like he was doing him a favour by stopping him joining the melee.
The flashpoint that saw the Manchester United midfielder sent off in Saturday's 2-1 win over Crystal Palace was forensically analysed by fans and pundits alike all weekend.
But two things are clear. First, the Brazilian is experienced enough to know better given how any raising of the hands or arms to an opposition player can easily be interpreted as violent conduct.
Second, Erik ten Hag will have to find yet another midfield fix - a successful appeal of the sending off notwithstanding - for the upcoming double-header with Leeds United and the home fixture against Leicester City.