The last time that Alejandro Garnacho had stepped off the Old Trafford playing surface he did so in pain and discomfort.
He'd found himself on the receiving end of a crunching tackle from Southampton right-back Kyle Walker-Peters and it resulted in him leaving M16 on crutches and sporting a protective boot. It sidelined him for exactly two months, robbing Manchester United and Erik ten Hag of one of their most influential operators.
The scene could not have been more contrasting as he stepped off the pitch following the conclusion of United's 2-0 win over Wolves on Saturday. With Ten Hag's right arm wrapped around his shoulder, the Argentine could barely wipe the smile off his face.
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He had made his highly-anticipated return from injury with 82 minutes on the clock and just 12 minutes later he was celebrating with a goal. After being sent clear by Bruno Fernandes, the youngster displayed excellent composure and trickery to fire the ball, via the post, past Wolves goalkeeper Daniel Bentley to seal a much-needed win for the Reds.
It was a fitting return for the youngster, who will now be hoping to finish the campaign with a flourish in the three remaining Premier League matches and the FA Cup final against Manchester City at Wembley on June 3. And he will be hoping his impressive cameo against Wolves will boost his chances of earning a regular starting spot between now and the end of the campaign, particularly if Marcus Rashford faces a spell on the sidelines through injury.
However, as much as Ten Hag may be tempted to unleash Garnacho, who committed his future to the club by signing a new contract last month, may choose to hold the 18-year-old back for now and utilise his ability to impact proceedings from the bench. The 18-year-old is one of few players in the squad that has the ability to change the game in the blink of an eye, certainly as an impact sub.
His strike against Wolves marked his fifth senior goal for United, all of which have come this season, and four of have come off the bench. He has scored three Premier League goals and all of those have come as a substitute either on or beyond the 85th minute.
His first league goal came deep into added time at Craven Cottage against Fulham just prior to the World Cup and it has seemingly marked the beginning of a trend. He scored in the 85th minute against Leeds United at Elland Road in February and in the 94th minute against Wolves. He also scored in the 90th minute against West Ham United in the FA Cup fifth round.
Garnacho's goal against Wolves means he now has the third-highest number of goals as a substitute in the Premier League this season with three, alongside Arsenal's Reiss Nelson. Only Newcastle United striker Callum Wilson and Son Heung-min of Tottenham Hotspur have more (four).
Interestingly, both of Garnacho's two Premier League assists this season have also come off the bench, meaning he has the joint-highest number of direct goal contributions (five) as a substitute in the Premier League this season alongside Wilson and Nelson. Garnacho has only scored once when starting a game this season and that was in the Europa League away at Real Sociedad in November.
Of course, Garnacho's long-term ambition is to start for United week-in, week-out but while he is still in a development phase his role as an impact player could be perfect for both United and Ten Hag. His fresh energy and fearless approach are useful weapons to be able to turn to, whether the Reds are in need of extending their lead or for a sprinkling of magic to get them out of a tight situation.
For now, taking into account his age, the competition he faces and his ability to influence a game, an impact sub role could be his best bet of making the headlines. His time to start matches will come but for now Ten Hag might keep him in reserve as a in-game weapon to unleash.
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