Things were looking bleak for Jesse Lingard at the start of the campaign.
The 28-year-old is in the prime of his career and should have been one of the first names on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's teamsheet.
Instead, the Red Devils graduate was a bit-part player under the Norwegian and was less an integral component of Solskjaer's side, more a part of the ageing furniture at Old Trafford.
Lingard made just three appearances for United before his January loan move, with all these matches coming in the cup.
His slow start following an average campaign in which he played in 40 games across all competitions; his stand out moments coming when he netted against the likes of Leicester City, LASK, Astana and Tranmere.
During last season's Manchester derby at Old Trafford, the winger had a run-in with his boss.
"One more time and you're f***ing off," Solskjaer shouted at Lingard after he squandered possession just before the hour mark, allowing City to counter via Raheem Sterling.
Five minutes later and Lingard did indeed make way.
Solskjaer gave Lingard more chances and he went on to make a further 13 appearances before the close of the campaign.
But it was clear from the way in which this season started that Lingard was edging closer to the scrap heap.
As January approached, Lingard had an important decision to make; let the inevitable play out or leave Manchester United to find himself and rediscover his form.
He picked the second option.
"We want Jesse to come back here revitalised and having shown at West Ham how good a player he is," said Solskjaer as he packed the 28-year-old off to London.
And Lingard has done exactly what his manager asked.
The winger made his West Ham debut against Aston Villa and scored twice in the 3-1 win. He's since made a further six appearances and has found the back of the net three times.
"It has really worked out for Jesse, for David and for us as a club as well," said Solskjaer, ahead of Man United's 1-0 win over the Hammers on March 14.
"We know Jesse's position is a 10 and we've got Bruno [Fernandes] there.
"For me, it was a no-brainer to get Jesse a chance to prove himself and play some football again. He has been really bright for them. He's finally back to himself."
Lingard outlined his plans when going on loan, making it clear he was making the move solely for game time and, for the time being, wasn't looking beyond that.
Lingard told BT Sport: "First and foremost I'm here to play, win and help the team, so hopefully I can do that and we'll see where we're at come the end of the season.
"It's about playing with a smile on my face and enjoying my football and getting back to the old Jesse.
"During the lockdown, I recapped my best moments playing football: the season under Jose [Mourinho] where I scored all of those goals and went to the World Cup, and the season when Ole came in and I started well.
"I started getting that fire in my belly and drive again to go and kick on. It would have been easy for me to fall off and take the easy option out.
"But a person like me who's been through a lot and knows the game, I can't just give it up like and I'll always go out with a fight.
"I came back one of the strongest and fittest (in the Man Utd squad) after the lockdown and I didn't get my chance that I was waiting on.
"But the whole time I was there and not playing I was doing extra training and keeping on top of my fitness for when the time was right.
"So for me, it's about working hard and staying dedicated and I went back to basics."
Lingard was understandably aggrieved at being cast aside at United - but he's bitten back.
Instead of sulking, the winger has gone to West Ham with a point to prove, and he's done exactly that, even earning himself an England call-up in the process.
It speaks volumes that Manchester United included no clause in the loan deal for West Ham to make the transfer permanent at the end of the season.
The loan move was simply a test from Solskjaer and Lingard has so far passed with flying colours.
Solskjaer obviously believes there is a future for Lingard at United and he will certainly be back in first-team contention when he strolls through the Old Trafford doors a rejuvenated player ahead of next season.
