Marcus Rashford has an extra spring in his step at Manchester United this season and that's not only to describe his leaping header that settled the scores against West Ham on Sunday afternoon. It was an important winner that saw the rejuvenated England forward take his tally to seven goals this campaign.
United were virtually at rock bottom when Erik ten Hag was appointed this summer. Rashford, meanwhile, was at a crossroads in his career amid question marks over his future.
Big-spending PSG were tipped to come calling as Rashford headed into the final 12 months of his contract - though the club do hold a one-year option to extend - but he outlined his intention to stay. While there have been countless positives to take from the Ten Hag reign so far, his upturn is arguably the most comforting for supporters.
READ MORE: Martial returns to team training
After watching one of their own ton-up for United, match-goers headed back to their homes knowing they had been a part of history. Should their number 10 continue in such form, there ought to be more and more celebrations in the years to follow, too.
From the moment he arrived from Amsterdam, Ten Hag was forced to meet problem after problem head on. None of them were his doing, mind, but several have promptly been solved on and off the pitch.
When it came to revitalising Rashford, though, the results were always going to be symbolic due to his unbreakable ties to the club. United needed Rashford and Rashford needed United.
Ten Hag understood the narrative and so did a well-known figure sworn in to help the Dutchman - Steve McClaren - even though his first days back at Carrington may have been bookmarked by some difficult conversations. McClaren had not exactly held back when speaking about Rashford a few months before his return.
"I hate this attitude in a player. Body language is so important and that was the criticism of United players over the last few weeks, but [Marcus] Rashford has probably had this problem throughout his career in terms of questioning his attitude.
"I look at him and think that the boy needs help off the field and through his manager. Somebody needs to give him the tools to come out of the bad times, because he doesn't know how to and stays in it. It's a cloud above the head or even in the head, that he can't get out of."
Only, he has done. With so much going wrong at United last season, it was too easy to point fingers at the players - especially given their immense quality - and suggest they were not giving their manager(s) enough or their attitude was to blame for individual and collective failings.
While that, ultimately, might have been the case, it was equally important to create an improved environment for Rashford and his teammates to shine. Ten Hag, McClaren and the other coaching staff have done that and Rashford has been among the biggest benefactors.
Without knowing the cause, labelling a player this or that is dangerous as it does not paint the full picture. Offered much brighter surroundings, the Academy graduate is thriving, yet again, while replicating his early-season form will be fundamental if United are to achieve their targets this season and in future campaigns.
It has also come at just the right time to revive his World Cup dreams. Rashford will be waiting by the phone, while he might as well prepare for a long and deserved flight to Qatar.
MORE TO READ:
