Jose Mourinho made a subdued entrance as he received a respectful reception on his return to Chelsea with Manchester United.
The former Blues manager made a low-key acknowledgment of the crowd but received no special introduction or big ovation.
Mourinho first appeared about 30 minutes before kick-off, coming out to survey his team's warmup and talk to his former assistant Steve Holland.
Many Chelsea members of staff and players greeted him, with the Portuguese sharing a big hug with his old captain John Terry.
Mourinho out now rather quietly, chatting to Holland pic.twitter.com/5UlGFxNShU
- Miguel Delaney (@MiguelDelaney) October 23, 2016
Also a hug between John Terry and Mourinho.
- Miguel Delaney (@MiguelDelaney) October 23, 2016
John Terry and Jose Mourinho sharing a moment on the touchline ahead of today's game at Stamford Bridge. pic.twitter.com/5kcKvNIOy5
- Squawka News (@SquawkaNews) October 23, 2016
"Poignant" pic.twitter.com/O0LAghSGHH
- Miguel Delaney (@MiguelDelaney) October 23, 2016
Mourinho had said he would try to put the emotions of the occasion to one side:
Jose Mourinho: "I have to try to block out the emotions. I would lie if I said it's the same as playing against another team" #CHEMUN pic.twitter.com/kwipyDq9Yo
- Premier League (@premierleague) October 23, 2016
But some on social media still could not believe what they were seeing:
Very surreal to think about a Chelsea v Man Utd game with Terry a sub, Rooney not involved & Mourinho managing the away team #cfc #mufc
- Liam Twomey (@liam_twomey) October 23, 2016
Jose Mourinho enters Stamford Bridge as an opposition #PL manager for the first time #CHEMUN https://t.co/ehvV2BSnys
- Premier League (@premierleague) October 23, 2016
Watching #Mourinho by the away bench at Stamford Bridge still gets me like ... #CHEMUN #MUFC pic.twitter.com/TJRxORtENU
- Alexis Nunes (@alexisenunes) October 23, 2016
Other media outlets suggested how Mourinho might be feeling:
How Jose Mourinho is feeling on the inside on his Stamford Bridge return... https://t.co/5fq2Yoskog pic.twitter.com/dnIPRXyAuJ
- Mirror Football (@MirrorFootball) October 23, 2016
Information from Miguel Delaney was used in this report.