Sir Alex Ferguson was too distraught to face the media and in no fit state for a conversation with Turkish referee Cuneyt Cakir - but his body language spoke fluently in fury.
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Ferguson will not face Uefa sanction for his non- appearance after Manchester United's Champions League exit against Real Madrid, a fate sealed in the most contentious and frustrating of circumstances.
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The Scot could, however, have been weighing up the potential for financial as well as emotional and footballing loss as there was the possibility for fines to run up faster than a taxi's meter had he revealed his true feelings about a night of pure but painful sporting theatre.
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United had been given a platform to build on the 1-1 draw at the Bernabeu when Sergio Ramos turned Nani's cross into his own goal early in the second half.
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Nani is the fourth Manchester United player to be sent off at Old Trafford in the Champions League after Rafael Da Silva, Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt.
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It was pulled from under them when Cakir produced a red card - for Nani's high challenge on Alvaro Arbeloa in the 56th minute - which did not appear to fulfil too many of the criteria required for such punishment.
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The mood was altered in a moment. Jose Mourinho, like the great opportunistic coach that he is, sensed the shift in momentum and introduced Luka Modric, who scored the equaliser while Cristiano Ronaldo finished off the job and ended United's interest in the Champions League at the last-16 stage.
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Ferguson still feels United could have won more than two Champions Leagues on his long watch and every exit brings added pain as the 71-year-old strives to bring another back to Old Trafford towards the end of his career.
That's the right thing to do.