Wout Weghorst is a stop gap to what has been a great problem for Manchester United.
The Dutchman, who cut short his loan at Besiktas in January to spend the remainder of the season at Old Trafford, had been expected to almost exclusively operate as the focal point for United's attack - or at least that was the plan.
Erik ten Hag has used the 30-year-old as the central point in a three with the in-form Marcus Rashford playing on one wing and the likes of Jadon Sancho or Alejandro Garnacho rotating on the other side. But the plan clearly changed in Barcelona.
Weghorst has only scored once for the Red Devils having played in eight games prior to the clash at the Nou Camp. His technical limitations in the final third are obvious. But whilst the the Dutchman is struggling for goals, Rashford is thriving and Ten Hag wants to make the most of his red-hot star's purple patch.
Whilst Rashford is often deployed from a wide position, many of his recent goals have come through the middle and that is what United opted to do from minute one in Spain. Anthony Martial's injury means there is room for manoeuvre in the front three.
The reshuffle, which saw Rashford play as the main man, meant a rejig elsewhere. The decision was vindicated when United's No.10 smashed home their equaliser, just minutes after they'd fallen behind, from the tightest of angles as his irresistible form continued.
His use as the side's attacking focal point was made possible with Weghorst dropping into a No.8 role, much deeper than he would usually play. For many, that is a bizarre decision, given the Dutchman is by no means known for his build-up play. The 30-year-old was coming so deep at times that he was level with Fred, and even helping Casemiro on the edge of his own penalty area.
It was Fred who set Rashford through to score the equaliser, which could be seen as a little victory, as he pushed on with Casemiro as his insurance policy. Weghorst was certainly willing to put himself about, but his new role will surely only be until Marcel Sabitzer is fit and able to resume his place in midfield.
Bruno Fernandes, who would usually take up the position filled by Weghorst - and would actually play slightly further forwards - played from the right. It freed the Portuguese man up defensively and he has been used in a wider role previously.
For now though it looks as if United's system is being built to get the best from Rashford. The forward waltzed past Raphinha as he played a crucial role in his side's second goal, which completed their comeback, and also had a penalty appeal waved away as his pace continued to cause major problems for the Barcelona defence.
Asked about Weghorst's position post-game, Ten Hag said: “It’s not about only Wout, but he did well in the position. It gives us a lot of variation and allows both Bruno [Fernandes] and Jadon [Sancho] to fill the half spaces. Then the full-backs can get forwards and it gives our attacks more variation."
Weghorst has spoken about his desire to earn a permanent move to Manchester through his performances in the coming months. He cannot be naive to the club's ambition however. Martial remains a man in Ten Hag's plans and there continues to be rumours about a move for a No.9 this summer - with Harry Kane and Victor Omishen among the names.
In the lead up to the game in Spain the giant Burnley loanee said: “Of course the two matches with Barcelona are great, but at the end it’s about winning and it’s about the trophies."
His effort and endeavour, in a position few would picture him in, shows he practices what he preaches.
