Of all the players in United's £316.4 million matchday squad, the one name those in the Boleyn Ground press room wanted to know was available was an 18-year-old with two Premier League starts to his name.
Timothy Fosu-Mensah only turned 18 in January but some already believe that he is the glue holding the United defence together.
Matteo Darmian is eight years older and has had the benefit of honing his catenaccio canniness, emerging through the ranks at AC Milan and playing in a World Cup, yet United came unstuck when he replaced Fosu-Mensah at Spurs on Sunday.
Louis van Gaal has developed a reputation for killing players confidence and Darmian is another victim.
His performances against City and Everton were his finest since his auspicious August yet a harsh demotion at Spurs preceded a squad exclusion at West Ham.
Van Gaal's ruthlessness was vidicated, though- Fosu-Mensah is more pacier and more powerful than Darmian.
Despite his inexperience, he is arguably a more suitable fit at right-back in the Premier League and has added beef and steel to an otherwise lightweight United side.
In east London, Fosu-Mensah was the last United player to emerge onto the pitch at half-time.
Seemingly superstitious, he needn't have been.
Dimitri Payet- nominated as one of the Premier League's best performers this season- had no joy when he ventured down the Dutchman's side and Aaron Creswell only became prominent when Fosu-Mensah was switched to the left, to cover for the drained and jaded Marcos Rojo.
Just seven games into his senior United career, Fosu-Mensah has played in three different positions: left-back, centre-back and right-back.
Central midfield is arguably his best position but United are well equipped there.
He has merely filled for the blowing Rojo on his left-back outings but, although he might prefer playing in midfield, his career prospects at United are best suited on the flank.
Darmian's struggles this term suggest there is still a vacancy at right-back in United's first choice backline.
Antonio Valencia is out of contract next year while Guillermo Varela is rash, risky and, at 23, not as junior as many think.
Fosu-Mensah has looked more solid and assured than both of them so far.
Even at such a young age, Fosu-Mensah boasts an enviable mix of strength and speed.
Before he created Anthony Martial's winner against Everton, his assist for Nick Powell's goal in the Under 21s thrashing of Leicester in December was pure United wing play.
The Reds should arguably sign another right-back in the summer- Valencia might represent an easy summer sale and Varela might be angling for regular football.
Fosu-Mensah's form might save United the trouble- and the Glazers more money.
Once he is more accomplished in the first-team, he needs to be let off the leash.
And the matchday squad's value will soar.
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