When Angel Gomes scored a late winner for Manchester United against Tottenham on tour in Shanghai last July, a bright future seemed to be opening up for the diminutive teenager at Old Trafford.
It was Gomes' first senior goal for the club and underlined a potential that had long been talked about in the academy ranks at United. To do it against Spurs in a showpiece pre-season game at the Hongkou Stadium made it all the more special.
So was this to be Gomes' year? Would he be at the forefront of an exciting new order under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, one built around youth and attacking intent?