Steve Bruce has revealed that Jacob Murphy returned to pre-season training looking like a "different player" compared to the nervous youngster he inherited when taking over as boss in July 2019.
Murphy spent last season on loan at Sheffield Wednesday and looked like he was on the brink of being sold to the Owls.
But Bruce wanted to hand the £10million signing one last chance this season.
And as he curled the ball home beyond Rui Patricio at Molineux, it was a move he was probably grateful for as the bus pulled out of Wolverhampton on Sunday night.
Bruce said: "He was arguably our best player today. The first week he came back for pre-season he looked like a different player and had a different attitude towards it.
"He looks as if he matured so I'm delighted for him. He deserved his chance."
Bruce had only handed Murphy a start in the League Cup until today.
But he reflected: "I'm delighted for Jacob who has worked his way into the team.
"I saw him practicing those free-kicks on Thursday. He's played well in the cups and trained well.
"His development is there for everyone to see."
Having watched his side capitulate against Man United, Bruce at least repaired the job of leaking too many goals.
He said: "I'm delighted with the resilience of the players.
"We are trying to find a balance to the team, it won't happen overnight but we are trying to change the way we play."
