Ralf Rangnick blocked Anthony Elanga from going out on loan after watching clips of the Manchester United youngster on YouTube.
After just 17 minutes of action under former boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Elanga was set to go out on loan this month, to gain some vital game-time and continue his development.
But all that changed in late November, with Solskjaer's dismissal and the appointment of Rangnick as United interim boss until the end of the season.
During his first few days in charge at United, Rangnick spent hours in his Manchester hotel suite watching videos of his new players in action and getting up to speed.
One player in particular caught his eye – 19-year-old winger Elanga, who impressed him so much in the clips, Rangnick insisted on keeping him at United and stopping any loan move.
HAVE YOUR SAY! Will Man Utd finish in the top four this season? Let us know in the comments
“I must say, from the very first day of my first training session, he showed up," said Rangnick.
“l had heard his name before and I was in my hotel room watching videos of him on YouTube and I thought 'this boy is really good'.
“He was almost on his way out on loan. I told him 'You will not go out on loan, you will stay here' and he has developed in training.”
Elanga rewarded Rangnick's faith and belief with the opener for United, a brilliantly taken goal, in Wednesday's 3-1 Premier League win at Brentford.
It was the Sweden Under-21 international's second successive league start and Elanaga looks likely to keep his place for tomorrow's visit of West Ham, a huge clash in the race for a top-four place.
Elanga, the son of former Cameroon defender Joseph Elanga, was born in Sweden when his father, a defender, was playing there for Malmo.
Joining United at the age of 12, Elanaga came through the club's academy, impressing as he progressed through the ranks, making his way to the first-team squad at the end of last season.
Rangnick wants players who play at a high intensity, both in training and matches, with Elanga fitting that mould, with his work ethic, allied to talent and technique.
“I just like to put the work in at training,” said Elanga. “The way I train, I want to play that way, with the same intensity. If the manager sees that, he'll always reward it.
“I appreciate the boss so much and for me, I've just got to keep going, keep pushing. It's my second start of the season, hopefully the second of many.
“If you put the work in, you’ll get rewards in games and that’s what I want to try and do every day; try to work hard and train the way I want to play.
“I love to start for this wonderful club and I want it to continue, but I’ve got to put the work in during training and then when I get the opportunity out on the pitch, take it.
“Competition is a good thing. If I'm not starting, someone else will be starting, and they'll be trying to push me out of the team, but it's all healthy competition.”
