Diogo Dalot punched the cold air under the floodlights at St. James' Park in late December. Edinson Cavani had just scored for Manchester United to equalise against Newcastle with 20 minutes remaining and Dalot celebrated on his own in the corner.
The right-back played the cross into the box that resulted in Cavani's goal after a sequence of blocks and he looked toward the heavens, which is where the away fans are seated at St. James Park, and he raised his hands, gesturing in relief.
The roar of the travelling supporters drowned out the groans of disappointment from the exasperated home section and chants of "UNITED, UNITED, UNITED," erupted from the heavens. Newcastle had been the better side in the match and the result should have been beyond doubt, but they failed to take their opportunities and Cavani punished their wastefulness.
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That didn't matter on the night, as it meant United returned to Manchester with a point when they probably didn't deserve one, although that did explain why Dalot's celebration was a combination of relief, ecstasy and appreciation for Cavani.
Dalot's performance against Newcastle at St. James' Park last season epitomised the player that he is. Dalot struggled to deal with the threat of Allan Saint-Maximin, who scored the opening goal, but he was the player who provided the cross for the equaliser.
Although Harry Maguire still had an opportunity to prevent Saint-Maximin from scoring, Dalot was responsible for giving the winger the space to fashion his goalscoring chance and the Frenchman continued to cause him problems from that moment.
Newcastle looked to give the ball to Saint-Maximin whenever they were in possession and it was obvious that Dalot had been identified as a weakness that they could exploit, with the player's quick feet and pace giving the full-back great difficulty. Eddie Howe's game plan was certainly not welcomed by the struggling Dalot.
It was a dubious defensive performance yet a competent attacking display from Dalot, which seemed to be the reoccurring theme of his career at Old Trafford until this season, in which he's gradually improved with Erik ten Hag in charge.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka has failed to develop into a right-back who can provide value in the final third and Dalot deservedly won his status as first-choice right-back last term, as he offers more going forward, but the jury remained out on his defensive nous.
In his first season at the club as first-choice right-back, Dalot had something to prove in this campaign and his performances have been encouraging, suggesting that he has indeed improved his weaknesses.
Dalot's performance against Southampton in August was one of his finest since joining the club and he also impressed against Leicester. He played a key role in United's four successive Premier League wins and that did not go unnoticed.
He was rightly lauded for those performances and some even suggested he was the best right-back in the Premier League on form, but such bold statements are premature and Dalot has proved that himself over the last few weeks.
After enjoying an excellent start to the season, Dalot has shown glimpses of his defensive vulnerability again and that was evident against Omonia on Thursday night when he almost gifted the Cypriot side a goal as half-time loomed.
He has not been as convincing over the last few weeks, although it's worth noting he has started every game this season and consistency at an elite level is not easy, but that's what Dalot wants to strive toward, to take his game to another level.
Dalot needs to continue to add value to transitions and continue to make improvements to his defensive qualities, which will be tested on Sunday afternoon when he takes on the challenge of dealing with Newcastle's Saint-Maximin again.
Saint-Maximin is technically exceptional and his unpredictability makes him a genuine test for the world's best full-backs, which means the true amount of progress that Dalot has made this season can be gauged by how he copes with his threat. He is set for a contract extension in January and he can show he deserves that deal by showcasing his progress this weekend.
Dalot could not get close to Saint-Maximin in December - that needs to be different on Sunday.
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