Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is usually made the scapegoat whenever Manchester United drop points but after victory over Villarreal in midweek he deserved the credit.
Cristiano Ronaldo took the headlines for his dramatic winner deep into added time though it was substitutes Edinson Cavani, Jesse Lingard and Nemanja Matic who really proved the catalyst for another memorable European night at Old Trafford.
All three of those substitutes have been shown the love by Solskjaer during their time at the club and it is down to his man-management skills they all remain happy to be part of the first-team set-up despite limited playing time.
Having regularly been chastised for his substitution decisions to see them all so heavily involved in the winning goal would have been the sweetest reward for the Norwegian, though forgotten man Donny van de Beek might not speak so glowingly of the changes which he made.
Video clips quickly went viral of Van de Beek's touchline tantrum in midweek when it became clear he was not going to be brought onto the pitch, an understandable reaction after he had been promised meaningful minutes after seeking assurances from Solskjaer in the summer.
Late in the transfer window talks were held with senior figures at Everton regarding a possible deadline day exit, only for United to block a move as Solskjaer insisted he still had a key role to play for the side.
"The perspective now is that we stated that Donny is not a Carabao Cup player, or FA Cup player, or to play only in European games," his agent Guido Albers stated less than a month ago. "Donny went to England to play in the Premier League.
"The way the conversation went this time [with Solskjær] compared to last summer... things are much more clear now. I have full expectations that Donny will get his chance now."
When next quizzed on Van de Beek's future Solskjaer will no doubt insist he'll get his chances and point towards their enormous squad depth for his lack of playing time, though after only 141 minutes of action this season it is easy to see why the player might be upset.
Once again he has been limited to playing in cup competitions with his only start coming as one of 11 changes in defeat to West Ham last week, it is hardly a positive reflection of the man-management approach which has largely been good under Solskjaer.
There is already talk of Van de Beek finally leaving the club in the January transfer window, though there is still a chance for redemption on both parts - this weekend he deserves to feature against Everton.
The 24-year-old warrants to start ahead of the out-of-form Fred, while Scott McTominay could perhaps do with his own rest after a physically demanding run following his return from groin surgery.
Van de Beek also has evidence on his side considering he and Nemanja Matic proved to be a devastating partnership in United's pre-season victory over Everton only two months ago.
The duo formed the beating heart of United's 4-0 success in early August with Matic deployed in the deep-lying role with Van de Beek dropping into a two when needed and pushing up to support Bruno Fernandes when they were on the attack.
It proved far too much for Everton that day and is clearly a tactical switch that can work in the Premier League if it is given the chance to develop.
Only nine matches into the campaign it would be harsh to write Van de Beek's chances of a breakthrough off again, but if he fails to make an appearance against a side he has already devastated once this year then it might be time to reconsider.
