On Tuesday morning Erik ten Hag would have looked at his midfield options and thought the cupboard bare for Manchester United. Fast forward 36 hours, and the shelves had been suitably restocked to last for the remainder of a season full of promise.
With Christian Eriksen ruled out for three months, United were down to three fit central midfielders ahead of the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg. Casemiro, Fred and Bruno Fernandes played because there was nobody else.
But solutions are appearing. In the stands sat Marcel Sabitzer, a smart deadline-day addition on loan from Bayern Munich who has the pedigree to play a part between now and the end of the season.
