The mightily dynamic defender was one of many beneficiaries of Hansi Flick’s arrival as manager, with the German smartly using his full-backs to maximise the strengths of both. Jules Koundé’s capacity to tuck inside offered Balde greater license to bomb forward and affect proceedings in the final third.

The Manchester-born United fan who netted twice on his debut seemed like a fairytale story, and for a while it was, with the then-18-year-old even playing a part in a major trophy win as Manchester United won a first FA Cup in 13 years that May.

Marcus Rashford's loan move to La Liga giants Barcelona has been confirmed, with an option to buy the player permanently at the end of the deal - and some fans in the Manchester Evening News comments sections say that this is his last chance to prove his elite status and secure his spot in the England line-up for years to come.