Manchester United were pegged back for the third game in succession during their 1-1 draw with Southampton at Old Trafford on Saturday lunchtime.
Since returning from the international break, the Old Trafford giants have surrendered leads against Middlesbrough in the FA Cup - then rock-bottom Burnley and Southampton in the Premier League.
However, either side of that frustrating 90 minutes against the Saints, there were some encouraging displays from those currently away from the club on loan.
Manchester Evening News takes a closer look at the seven United players who were in action elsewhere;
Amad (Rangers): Sealing a temporary move to Ibrox last month, Amad needed four minutes to introduce himself to the Rangers fans with a debut goal against Ross County. He even has his own song already! Further impact has proved tough in the Scottish Premiership, but the talented Ivorian did provide an assist during the comfortable 3-0 win over Annan Athletic in the Scottish Cup on Saturday afternoon.
Nathan Bishop (Mansfield): It was a testing start to the campaign for Mansfield. However, the Stags are now in red hot form and promotion is back on the cards. They could only manage a draw with Bristol Rovers on Saturday afternoon, but that result makes it 11 unbeaten and Bishop was rewarded with his fourth clean sheet in six games.
James Garner (Nottingham Forest): Garner continues to go from strength to strength at the City Ground. There are growing calls for the Academy graduate to be handed a first-team opportunity at United moving forwards and, should he carry on in this manner, it will be hard to ignore him for much longer. The 20-year-old played 90 minutes in a draw with Stoke City and had a hand in the equaliser when his late free-kick cannoned off the crossbar and was turned into the net by Ryan Yates.
Anthony Martial (Sevilla): Sent an early warning by Sevilla manager Julen Lopetegui after struggling on his debut in Spain, it appears as though that message had the desired effect as Martial inspired the La Liga title contenders to a hugely-important win against Elche on Friday night. It was the Frenchman who charged down his marker to claim back possession for Papu Gomez to open the scoring - later sending in a cross for Rafa Mir to rubber-stamp all three points. Sevilla are within striking distance of table-topping Real Madrid.
Teden Mengi (Birmingham City): Despite impressing manager Lee Bowyer and Birmingham's fans since touching down at St Andrew's, results have been hard to come by for Mengi. However, on Saturday afternoon, the Academy graduate was celebrating three points and a first clean sheet against Luton Town.
Donny van de Beek (Everton): Where to start with this one? A lack of opportunities for United has been regularly documented. Having made his debut as a substitute against Newcastle, the January deadline day recruit played 90 minutes for the first time in the Premier League on his first Everton start. Frank Lampard clearly rates the Dutchman, while van de Beek rewarded him with an eye-catching display in a morale-booting 3-0 victory over Leeds United.
Brandon Williams (Norwich City): Nobody in the Norwich dressing room would have wanted to get one over on Manchester City more than Williams. However, the Canaries were promptly swept aside at Carrow Road as England forward Raheem Sterling led the way with a hat-trick. Williams started at left-back for his 18th outing in the Premier League this season and he was tasked with marking Riyad Mahrez.
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