Marcus Rashford knows from personal experience the significance of sliding doors moments in football.
Rashford was the beneficiary of such a moment six years ago on Friday when a warm-up injury to Anthony Martial saw the then 18-year-old thrust into the Manchester United starting line-up for his debut.
A brace in a 5-1 Europa League win over FC Midtjylland proved the launchpad for Rashford’s career, one that has so far yielded 93 goals from 293 appearances.
On Wednesday night in Madrid, it was hard to escape the feeling Rashford had found himself on the flip side of such a moment.
As Rashford left the pitch at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium, replaced by Anthony Elanga, after another poor performance from the England striker, there was a sense of a changing of the guard.
In his 15 minute cameo, Elanga was everything Rashford was not - energetic, dynamic and ultimately effective, plundering an equaliser with his first touch that earned United a 1-1 draw against Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie.
It was Elanga’s second goal in as many games, after he came off the bench to score in United’s epic 4-2 win at arch rivals Leeds last Sunday. In contrast, Rashford has scored just twice in his last 18 games for United.
Against that backdrop, it is hard to see how interim United boss Ralf Rangnick can leave Elanga out of his starting line-up for Saturday's visit of Watford - at the expense of Rashford.
Should Rangnick start Elanga against Watford? Comment below
At 24, Rashford should be entering the peak form of his career, but continues to cut a frustrated and troubled figure this season, never more so than in the Spanish capital.
Against Atletico, his decision-making was awry, everything he tried failed to come off, the only surprise being it took Rangnick until the 75th minute to hook him.
With every dispiriting display from Rashford, Elanga’s chances of a sustained run for United are enhanced, particularly with the 19-year-old playing with such freedom, a point not lost on Rangnick after the draw in Madrid.
"He’s playing as though it’s a dream come true,” said Rangnick.
“It’s a joy and fun to watch him play. I wish a few other players would take him as an example and as a role model.”
Although that last comment was not directed at Rashford, it may as well have been. While Elanga is playing with a smile, Rashford is doing so with a scowl, seemingly weighed down by the pressure of pulling on the famous red shirt.
There is some mitigation for Rashford, who has played virtually non-stop for United over the past six years, frequently through the pain barrier, against the backdrop of a series of debilitating ailments.
Last season he suffered an ankle injury, a double stress fracture of the back and a long-standing shoulder issue, which required surgery in the summer.
But now he is supposedly pain-free, he should be able to produce his best form for United. Instead, he continues to labour, his loss of form a major cause for concern for United as the season enters the home straight and one which has provided a major challenge for Rangnick.
