Manchester United kept their top four hopes alive with a desperately unconvincing 2-0 win over Brighton on Tuesday night - but the Old Trafford outfit may have stumbled upon more than just three points.
Ralf Rangnick's uninspiring interim reign now has just over two-and-a-half months left to run before United tackle the job of sourcing a permanent replacement for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
A host of names have been linked with the role - but one unfashionable name may have overseen the perfect Old Trafford audition in midweek.
Graham Potter's name has only been fleetingly linked with the United vacancy.
But Brighton's stunning first half display on Tuesday night should be enough to change that after they ran United ragged.
Under Potter, Brighton have evolved into one of the Premier League's classiest teams.
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And their slick, adventurous style of play is exactly the type of football that has become synonymous with Manchester United over the years.
If you'd have told Sir Alex Ferguson that, in his lifetime, Brighton would run rings around United at Old Trafford, you'd have probably been laughed out of the building.
But that's exactly what happened on Tuesday night - and the final scoreline isn't enough to gloss over that fact.
Brighton absolutely bossed proceedings against United's band of expensive, misfiring stars with an exceptional first half display.
Lewis Dunk's early dismissal after the interval effectively killed the game for Brighton, who fell to second half goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes.
But the first half told the story as far as both Manchester United and Brighton are concerned right now.
Rangnick must have been looking on in envy at the polished, cohesive approach from Brighton that left United ambling after shadows.
For 45 minutes, Brighton played with the type of endeavour and quality that used to grace Old Trafford on a weekly basis - and that should give the United hierarchy plenty of food for though.
The Telegraph reported back in December that United had an eye on Potter, who has seen his reputation skyrocket since his arrival on the south coast back in the summer of 2019.
After completely transforming Brighton's style, Potter has already been linked with a plethora of top jobs over the past 12 months - and it seems inevitable that the former Ostersunds man will be prised away from the Amex sooner rather than later.
But the 46-year-old's name hasn't been mentioned as consistently as the likes of Mauricio Pochettino or Erik ten Hag.
There will, of course, be arguments over Potter's suitability for the role; namely a lack of silverware.
But Pochettino hadn't won a single major honour until he joined current club Paris Saint-Germain. Although the former Tottenham man may have a more impressive resume than Potter in terms of the teams that he's coached, is it really that much more impressive in terms of results or achievements?
Brighton couldn't have been further away from the fluent, expansive outfit that they have evolved into under Potter's watch - just imagine what he could achieve with better players and significant financial backing.
Prior to Solskjaer's dismissal, reports claimed that the Old Trafford hierarchy had concerns over the Norwegian's ability to tangle tactically with some of the Premier League's big hitters.
That wouldn't be a concern with Potter, who has repeatedly showcased his tactical nous this term.
The Seagulls boss has already outwitted the likes Jurgen Klopp and Thomas Tuchel, with Brighton pinching points off of both Chelsea and Liverpool this season.
When it comes to modern, tactical managers in the Premier League, Potter is right at the pinnacle; he shouldn't be an afterthought in the race for the United job.
Manchester United need someone with the magic touch to come in and make them feel like Manchester United again - and in more ways than one, Potter fits the bill.
