Jack Grealish's place in the England team and squad has been the subject of feverish debate for over two years.
Back in 2020 Aston Villa fans could not believe that Gareth Southgate was overlooking their talisman and his excellent form - particularly in favour of a Manchester City teenager that barely got any minutes under Pep Guardiola. Then the Carabao Cup final happened and Phil Foden was the best player on the pitch, showing everyone exactly why he had the edge over Grealish.
Foden was obviously playing in a better team and one match does not make a season, but it is a particular and rare skill to turn up in such a big game and boss it and one that is craved by managers whose entire reputations depend on tournament football. Villa fans may not have been happy about it, but anyone who watched that game could hardly argue that the Stockport youngster didn't deserve his chance.
Southgate's use of Grealish has flipped since the winger signed for City for £100m, with expectations of him now through the roof and questions now coming as to why he is getting in the squad when he hasn't had the attacking contributions that some others have had. In the most recent window, there was a not insignificant amount of debate asking why Jadon Sancho was not ahead of him in the pecking order.
Sunday gave the perfect example as to why Grealish is ahead of Sancho. He was of course playing in a superior team but from the first minute one player was alive with the ball sticking to his feet and the other looked leaden-footed as every pass went astray and every opportunity missed.
Grealish may not have managed a goal or assist against United but it was one of his best performances in a City shirt - and in one of their biggest fixtures in the calendar. He was crucial in inciting panic in the opposition defence from the first minute and looked far more like a £100m player than Sancho looked a £72m player.
After encouragement from the Wolves game, this was much more like it from Grealish as he showed the form that he threatened to from pre-season before suffering a frustrating injury in the first home game. This run of games ahead could be crucial to building up the form that he needs to make a serious impression with England at the World Cup next month.
Grealish makes headlines off the pitch and is one of the more quotable players in the squad and the league - we all eagerly await his night out with Graeme Souness and Paul Pogba - but it is on the pitch where it is worth paying the most attention to him.
READ MORE:
