Manchester United have placed a banner directly behind the Stretford End goal where supporters would normally congregate.
It carries a quote attributed to legendary Manchester United boss Sir Matt Busby reading: "Football is nothing without fans."
And on cold nights like this, with the passion removed from what is traditionally one of British football's most intense occasions, the message carried even greater weight than normal as Manchester United and Manchester City played out a soulless, dismal derby deadlock at Old Trafford.
It was 279 days ago when United beat City 2-0 in front of packed, seething Old Trafford, inflicting decisive damage on their arch-rivals' Premier League title aspirations last season.