For those fond of curiosities, the last goals scored in a European semi-final at Old Trafford before Thursday came from Antonio Valencia, Darron Gibson and the Brazilian heavyweight Anderson, who fired in two.
Proof, then, that a goal from the head of the often pedestrian Marouane Fellaini is not so out of kilter with the great traditions of this club as some may think.
United have fielded average players before and done well. Valencia is not one of those and he was their captain on Thursday.
But six years after that Champions League semi-final disposal of Schalke, Gibson — heading for the Championship with Sunderland — and Anderson — back in Brazil with unheralded Coritiba — can certainly be viewed as such.