When Manchester United completed the £72.9million capture of long-term transfer target Jadon Sancho back in July, everyone expected the England international to be an automatic shoe-in on the right-wing.
Instead, Sancho has not quite had the desired impact that everyone associated with United, least of all the winger himself, had hoped for. Certainly not yet, anyway.
But despite United's nightmare against Middlesbrough in the FA Cup on Friday night, Sancho, at least, did give the supporters something to smile about.
His performance oozed hard work, dedication, plenty of running and, of course, he notched his first Old Trafford goal.
Even if it was only against Championship opposition, it was a step in the right direction and a platform for the former Borussia Dortmund man to now build on, as he looks to spark his United career into life at a crucial time of the season.
But although United's wide options have significantly decreased since the start of the season because of Anthony Martial's and Amad's loan exits and Mason Greenwood's suspension, Sancho is still not guaranteed an automatic starting berth in Ralf Rangnick's preferred starting line-up.
That is because of the recent contributions of both Marcus Rashford and Anthony Elanga.
Despite concerns over Rashford's form over the Christmas period, the England man has scored two goals in his last three appearances, suggesting that he is staging his own personal recovery.
He stepped off the bench to score against both Brentford and West Ham, helping United clinch an invaluable six points, but he failed to have a real impact against Middlesbrough, with his only notable highlight in the game being when he had a first half effort chalked off for offside.
Elanga, meanwhile, has captured the hearts of many a United supporter in the three league fixtures that preceded the winter break, producing encouraging and fearless performances, which also featured a goal in the 3-1 triumph over Brentford.
He's still only 19, but Elanga has put himself firmly in the frame to be considered for a regular starting berth out wide. You could even argue, perhaps, that Rangnick's decision to start him on the bench against Chris Wilder's side on Friday evening was an early indicator that he will retain his place in United's Premier League XI for Tuesday's trip to Burnley.
Everyone will have their opinions and preferences for who they would like to see take up the two wide positions for that league game, but somebody is going to be left disappointed by Rangnick — meaning his selection decision against the Clarets could rank among the toughest of his United tenure so far.
Rashford, Sancho and Elanga, all of whom have talent and potential in abundance, bring their own qualities to the table. With two of the three out wide, United should not lack pace, trickery and an attacking threat from the flanks.
It would be harsh to leave Elanga out of the side after such encouraging performances prior to the Premier League's recent hiatus, while Rashford also deserves to be in with a shot of returning after two goals in his last two substitute appearances in the league. Sancho, too, also has to be considered after leaving his calling card in the cup.
Whatever Rangnick decides, unless he springs an unexpected surprise and starts all three of them, one of them is going to be left disappointed. But that disappointment should translate into motivation to work even harder, impress on the training ground and put pressure on the two winners of this particular battle and increase the level of competition for places.
It will create a headache for Rangnick, but at least it will be a positive one.
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