Memorable moments for Manchester United in 2022 have been few and far between, with the year producing just seven wins from 20 largely underwhelming games.
Cristiano Ronaldo's show-stopping hat-trick against Tottenham may be the highlight but for those United fans lucky enough to be in Madrid it might be usurped by Anthony Elanga's unexpected equaliser against Atletico in the Wanda Metropolitano.
United didn't deserve to leave the Spanish capital with the tie so delicately poised - and ultimately it didn't matter - but they did so because of Elanga's composure and finishing ability.
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The academy graduate's goal was memorable for the scenes that followed in that away end, with his song taking off that night in Madrid. In a wretched season, he has been one of the very few positives.
His emergence is all the more impressive given it has come almost entirely in this calendar year, when belief within the squad has tanked under Ralf Rangnick. The interim manager will have plenty of strong opinions to pass on to Erik ten Hag, but his only real successes on the training pitch are Elanga and, maybe, Jadon Sancho.
Elanga made a positive impact with the first team towards the end of last season but managed just 17 minutes this term before Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was sacked. Promoting the winger to more regular action was one of Rangnick's first decisions and easily one of his most successful.
There have been 22 United appearances under Rangnick and another two for Sweden. As well as that goal in Madrid Elanga also scored in wins at Brentford and Leeds.
On what was another hugely disappointing day at the weekend, Elanga again looked like one of United's brighter players, causing Nuno Tavares problems every time he took the left-back on during the defeat to Arsenal.
Elanga, who celebrates his 20th birthday today, played on the right wing at the Emirates Stadium and it would help his own cause if he could develop in that role, although he prefers to operate off the left. His problem is that so do Sancho and Marcus Rashford.
United will look to sign a right-winger when Ten Hag takes over and his Ajax starlet Antony is a potential option. On the opposite flank the Dutchman will find himself very well stocked.
The key to a successful summer transfer window might be managing to raise funds to add to the transfer budget, given reinforcements are required in defence, midfield and attack.
Elanga's emergence onto the scene could help with that. The last thing United require this summer is another right-footed forward who likes to play from the left returning to the club, so Anthony Martial must surely find his days at Old Trafford numbered.
United's hand when it comes to a sale is weaker than it was a year ago. Martial joined Sevilla on loan in January but the 26-year-old has enough admirers to still attract a reasonable fee.
There has been just one goal in 11 games for Sevilla and the move hasn't had the desired effect for either Martial or United. The exciting forward who arrived for £50million seven years ago looks increasingly unlikely to ever fulfil that talent at Old Trafford.
He's not shown enough consistency to suggest he can play as a centre forward in the Premier League and would be behind Sancho, Rashford and Elanga if he wanted to play on the wing.
With the emergence of Elanga there isn't really a role for Martial in Ten Hag's squad. This should be the summer United try and sell the Frenchman to raise some much-needed funds.
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