Life has been pretty tough for Marcus Rashford over the past 18 months. But it's hard to think of many lower points on the pitch than the Manchester derby back in March.
Despite being plagued by injuries, Ralf Rangnick decided to start the crunch clash at the Etihad Stadium without a recognised striker - leaving Rashford on the bench. That was about as damning as it could get for the 24-year-old, who had suffered a complete collapse in confidence and form over the course of the season.
Rashford looked a shadow of the deadly forward who had plundered 43 goals in the two years previous to that. Not only had he lost his spot at Old Trafford, but his on-field struggles also became impossible for Gareth Southgate to ignore. Rangnick's snub felt like the final nail in the coffin for Rashford's Manchester United career - even though the appointment of a new manager was looming large on the horizon.
But Rashford himself was undeterred. Although reports claimed the England star was considering his future, he was determined to stay and fight for a spot under Erik ten Hag, who landed the top job at United shortly after.
That determination saw Rashford snub the chance of a fresh start abroad in the summer - even though the outlook in Manchester was pointedly bleak.
European heavyweights Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain were willing to rescue the boyhood United fan who had seen his Old Trafford dream slowly descend into a nightmare. But Rashford had no interest in slipping out the back door.
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It felt like Rashford was taking the ultimate gamble by deciding to stick rather than twist- but it's paid off handsomely. Rashford's revival in the early portion of the new campaign has been emphatic and, in some ways, synonymous with United's own resurgence in recent weeks.
United were floundering at the foot of the table when Ten Hag rolled the dice himself and thrust Rashford into the No.9 spot at the expense of Cristiano Ronaldo. He was rewarded with a match-winning goal that's importance simply cannot be understated.
Since Rashford has been handed the chance to wreak havoc in his preferred central role, both parties have reaped the rewards; Rashford is flourishing again and affecting games, while United's toothless attack has finally found some much-needed bite.
Ten Hag, who garnered a reputation for getting the best out of top young talent in the Netherlands, has seemingly worked his magic again on Rashford. The striker who was devoid of confidence just months ago now has ice running through his veins once again and has already clocked up five goal contributions in six games.
International redemption is also on the horizon, too. Rashford was last selected by his country back in November, but The Mail claim that the reinvigorated forward's 10-month exile from the England fold is likely to end later this month.
Few would have predicted that Rashford would be in pole position for a World Cup spot and Manchester United's main man back in April - maybe not even Rashford himself.
Even fewer would begrudge him finding form again in the wake of the striker's exemplary off-field activities over the past 18 months.
United are scheduled to meet Manchester City early next month, meaning Rashford will return to the Etihad - the very place where his Manchester United fairytale had seemingly ended.
But instead of closing the chapter on his Old Trafford career, Rashford will arrive intent on penning a new one as the club's first-choice No.9 when Manchester United entertain the reigning Premier League champions in three weeks time.
And considering where he his career appeared to be heading six months ago, that's quite some story.
