Manchester United 4-2 win against old rivals Leeds United on Sunday felt like a throwback fixture in many respects.
It was hardly a clean game among friends as nine yellow cards were issued amid 32 fouls made between the two sides, but would you expect any less from a derby that has a long history of being combative?
In these sorts of fixtures, cult heroes can be born from just getting stuck in and Scott McTominay's display was no exception.
On paper, McTominay's performance was not great as United's dedicated number six. He only had a 76% pass completion in the game and, in terms of his ground duels, he won five out of 17 attempted, which maybe pushes the argument for Nemanja Matic seeing more game time.
But for United fans who had been demanding the team show passion and desire to rescue a listless season, McTominay's efforts were just what they needed.
Six fouls? On any other day that would be branded stupid. Against Leeds, however, it was part of a perfectly pitched performance.
McTominay also received a yellow card for his antics and on a different day might have received another, but it seemed the rainy conditions may have prompted leniency from the referee. Dreamy slide tackle weather, lads - crack on!
It wasn't all one-way, Leeds were also combative and the results were clear to see from McTominay's Instagram.
The Scotland midfielder posted a picture of his ankle after the game, which showed multiple marks from challenges made by the opposition.
It is clear, that to improve their midfield, United will have to sign a more technically proficient player to replace McTominay in the holding role. He is filling in well in the absence of another option but is not the long term solution.
It was the right decision to play McTominay over Matic, as the veteran Serbian midfielder would not have been able to deal with the pace of the game and would likely have been overrun.
In matches where it is going to be scrappy, men like McTominay who like to get stuck in will thrive and if Leeds stay up this season it is likely that the new manager will rely on his services in the fixture again next term,
But this sort of performance, though great when it all works out, could go horribly wrong on a different occasion.
And that's part of the reason why we absolutely loved it.
What was your favourite part of Scott McTominay's performance against Leeds United? Follow our United On My Mind writer Casey Evans on Twitter and get involved in the discussion in the comments section below.
