It was almost exactly a year to the day since Marcus Rashford was substituted in an FA Cup win over Aston Villa and subsequently took his place on the bench wearing the look of a player who seemed completely bereft.
His body language, the apparent disappearance of his smile, his general form. Everything about Rashford was scrutinised to the nth degree. A few months earlier he reportedly sought the help of a sports psychologist in an attempt to move on from his part in England's Euro 2020 failure.
In simple terms, a player who once looked able to go as far as he pleased in the game was beginning to look a lost cause at Old Trafford.
Fast forward to January 14, 2023, Rashford is now the poster boy of a new era at the Theatre of Dreams, and his late winner in the Manchester derby shows both he and United are finally emerging from a nightmare.
Of course, Erik ten Hag has clearly played a role in both resurgences.
You could forgive him approaching the game with a sense of trepidation given what happened in October, as City obliterated them in a 6-3 win at the Etihad Stadium.
That was a reality check after a run of four league wins, and a defeat that led to Ten Hag essentially thanking City for showing the Red Devils how much more work they needed to do.
Since then, and before Saturday's game, only Newcastle United (24) had won more Premier League points than the Reds. Clearly, the improvement has swift and significant.
There was no avalanche of first-half goals from City this time. By the break in October, City were 4-0 up, with Phil Foden and Erling Haaland getting a brace each – the Norwegian enjoying a brutal introduction to the derby.
At the interval here, United had been the better side, creating the two best (only?) chances of the first half and restricting City to just one attempt, which was blocked anyway.
Luke Shaw's selection at centre-back looked curious, though he was once again impressive even against Haaland, and Fred's tenacity in midfield helped to reduce the influence of Kevin De Bruyne.
United found joy down the inside-left channel with Rashford, who first forced Manuel Akanji into a goal-line clearance after skipping past the stranded Ederson. The England forward then burst beyond Rodri but saw his point-blank effort smothered by the goalkeeper.
The hosts were, generally, comfortable.
Anthony Martial didn't look sharp as he drew the frustration from the crowd on a couple of occasions, including for his seeming reluctance to press Ederson when receiving an awkward pass – that doesn't bode particularly well for the Frenchman following the arrival of a so-called "pressing monster" in Wout Weghorst.
Rashford then pulled up with a knock to his hip just before half-time. Although he continued, United were clearly lacking something in attack as he appeared to hold back and Martial was withdrawn, presumably owing to his own fitness issues.
City stepped things up. Their trademark ball domination returned and United struggled to get out of their defensive third.
The out-ball to Rashford wasn't on anymore, and caution appeared to be the new focus of United and Ten Hag.
That had to go out the window with Jack Grealish's headed opener, however. City turned the screw and it finally brought the breakthrough as De Bruyne managed to break free of his Fred- and Casemiro-shaped shackles to deliver the perfect chipped cross.
From there, most would've just assumed City would go on to take the three points, aiding their quest to chase down Arsenal – but this United are made of sterner stuff.
The introduction of Alejandro Garnacho for Christian Eriksen was key as United suddenly had greater presence in the forward line, occupying the City defence.
And Rashford, who barely had a kick after the break, came back to life. The awareness to leave the ball for Bruno Fernandes when offside was exceptional, and it allowed the Portugal midfielder to coolly slot home from just outside the box.
Then Rashford's moment arrived.
Garnacho twisted and turned on the left, making just enough space to squeeze a low cross past Nathan Ake, and Rashford was there to prod through Ederson's legs.
It made him the first United player since Cristiano Ronaldo in April 2008 to score in seven successive appearances, and it was the 27th winning goal of his Premier League career.
For many, that winner, this win, the mentality to turn things around in the derby against the champions will validate United as genuine title contenders.
The fact Rashford is the player spearheading their revival makes his a truly engrossing redemption tale.
Al-Hilal 1-1 Al-Nassr (5-4 pens): Ronaldo and company lose chaotic King's Cup final
Al-Nassr lost a dramatic Kings' Cup final featuring three red cards against Al-Hilal on Friday, with the Saudi Pro League champions claiming the treble with a 5-4 penalty shoot-out win.
Former Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic peeled away to the back post to head home the opener after just seven minutes, before Cristiano Ronaldo was denied by Yassine Bounou.
Al-Nassr looked to be imploding when David Ospina was sent off for a wild lunge on Malcom outside his penalty area shortly after half-time, but it was 10 versus 10 when Ali Al Bulayhi received his second yellow card late on.
Aiman Yahya took advantage to equalise in stoppage time, before Al-Hilal lost a second centre-back to a red card, Kalidou Koulibaly receiving his marching orders when he clattered into substitute goalkeeper Waleed Abdullah.
Neither team could find an extra-time winner, though, and it was Bounou who came up with the goods in the shoot-out.
He pushed Meshari Al Nemer's tame kick onto the post after Ali Al Hassan and Saud Abdulhamid had traded misses, claiming the trophy for Al-Hilal.
Data Debrief: Domestic sweep for Al-Hilal
Having also won the Saudi Super Cup and the Saudi Pro League, going unbeaten throughout their league campaign, Al-Hilal capped a perfect domestic season with their 11th King's Cup. Only Al-Ahli (13) have won the competition more often.
Al-Nassr, meanwhile, have now gone four seasons without a domestic trophy, with August's Arab Club Champions Cup all they have to show for their efforts in 2023-24.
Gauff gathering momentum after reaching fourth round at Roland-Garros
Coco Gauff booked her place in the French Open fourth round after seeing off Dayana Yastremska in straight sets at Roland-Garros.
The third seed is still yet to drop a set in her opening three matches, as she battled past her Ukrainian opponent 32 6-2 6-4 in 94 minutes on Court Philippe-Chatrier.
Gauff's return game proved crucial against the 30th seed, who reached the Australian Open semi-finals as a qualifier back in January.
Indeed, the 2022 finalist won five of Yastremska's nine service games - taking her tally to 15-25 for the tournament - including two during a dominant opening set.
Another three followed in the second to put her on the brink of victory at 5-2 up, though she failed to convert match point as her opponent clung on to break back.
However, it proved a false dawn for the world number 30 - appearing in round three at Roland-Garros for the first time - as Gauff saved break points on her next service game to eventually hold and progress.
Her reward is a showdown with Elisabetta Cocciaretto, who will make her maiden fourth-round appearance at a major after defeating 17th seed Liudmila Samsonova 7-6 (7-4) 6-2.
Data Debrief: Gauff matches Capriati at Roland-Garros
Gauff is only the second American in the Open Era to reach the last 16 at the French Open in four successive years before turning 21, after Jennifer Capriati (1990 to 1993).
That was also her 18th match win at Roland-Garros. Since 2000, only Iga Swiatek (21) and Ana Ivanovic (19) have registered more before the age of 21.
Her fourth-round opponent has made history, with 23-year-old Cocciaretto the youngest Italian to reach the fourth round here since Francesca Schiavone in 2001.
Ruud edges into French Open third round after rollercoaster match
Casper Ruud survived a scare after being pushed all the way by Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the French Open second round on Thursday.
The Norwegian prevailed 7-6 (7-5), 1-6, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 in an instant classic that lasted just over four hours on Court Suzanne Lenglen.
Ruud knew he was in for a tough match after winning the tiebreak in the first set, and Davidovich Fokina fought back in brilliant fashion to take the second.
The momentum swung back in Ruud’s favour in the third as he regained the lead in the match, but the Spaniard ensured they could not be separated as he forced a decider after another tight contest.
Despite putting up a good fight, Davidovich Fokina failed to see out what would have been a stunning win, as Ruud edged one step closer to a potential first Roland Garros title.
Next up for Ruud is Tomas Martin Etcheverry in the third round.
Data Debrief: Ruud holds his nerve
Ruud lost his first-ever Roland Garros second-round match (v Albert Ramos in 2018) but is unbeaten in his six matches at that stage of the French Open since.
The Norwegian has now reached the third round at Roland Garros six times in his career, which is more than he has in all other three Grand Slams combined (two at the Australian Open, two at the US Open, 0 at Wimbledon).
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