It was worth a try.
The logic behind Ralf Rangnick's surprise recall of Aaron Wan-Bissaka for Manchester United's trip to Leeds was sound.
United were coming up against a side capable of testing even the most solid of defences, a trait that often leads to them exposing their own backline.
With attacking options including Daniel James, Jack Harrison, Raphinha and Rodrigo, Marcelo Bielsa has plenty of pacey, skilful options to deploy on his left-flank that could easily cause United trouble, especially if Diogo Dalot was to be caught neglecting his defensive duties.
So bringing in the more solid option of Wan-Bissaka for his first start in six Premier League games did make a degree of sense. While the 24-year-old has had plenty of criticism levelled at him for his lack of quality in the attacking third of the pitch, his expert tackling and ability in one-on-one scenarios was rarely at fault.
Rangnick perhaps had one eye cast to Wednesday's clash with Atletico Madrid as well, another team that has plenty of attacking talent where a slightly more secure backline in order to not get caught on the counter could be required.
The experiment well and truly failed. If the interim manager had any designs on starting Wan-Bissaka in Spain then they must well and truly be on the scrapheap by now.
Rangnick took a couple of risks with his selection at Elland Road but while the inclusion of Victor Lindelof over Raphael Varane paid off, the choice to start Wan-Bissaka certainly didn't.
Even in the first-half when United managed to claim a two-goal lead, the right-back's positioning was often out of sync with the rest of his defence and his usual pinpoint tackles were considerably off-kilter.
After the break when United somehow conspired to momentarily implode and throw away their lead, Wan-Bissaka could be blamed for both of the goals.
Though Rodrigo's looping cross which floated into the net was an unfortunate fluke, it came down United's right side and Wan-Bissaka was nowhere to be seen as the forward advanced with the ball before swinging it goalwards.
Wan-Bissaka had left acres of space for Rodrigo to advance into and isn't even captured on cameras tracking back in the build-up to the goal.
The equaliser just 24 seconds later was even worse.
Picking up a loose ball just after kick-off, he rushed a hospital pass to Bruno Fernandes who was immediately closed down and dispossessed. Wan-Bissaka was then caught out of position and had to come across to meet former teammate James, who easily bypassed him before teeing up Raphinha to tap home at the far post completing a minute of madness.
In a rare display of resolve, United came back to win the game. Had they crumbled further as many feared they would, much of the blame would have been placed at Wan-Bissaka's feet.
When given the chance to earn back his spot in the side he only helped Dalot's case for staying there permanently.
The young Portuguese may well get caught out high up the pitch on occasion but it's that attacking verve that has seen him be favoured by Rangnick and it looks as though Wan-Bissaka doesn't even have the defensive superiority going for him anymore.
It's clear that against Atletico and for the rest of the season, Rangnick has an easy decision to make at right-back.
Sign up to our United newsletter so you never miss an update from Old Trafford this season.
