Erik ten Hag has spent six months casting himself as a harsh disciplinarian determined to whip Manchester United into shape, but even he failed to withhold a smile from the touchline when Jadon Sancho came off the bench to net the leveller against Leeds United on Wednesday.
The England winger only just returned to the United team after spending several lonely months rehabilitating his confidence. His 70th-minute goal, coming as he followed up a blocked cross without hesitation, prevented Manchester United from their first home loss to Leeds since 2010.
Sancho finished the two-goal turnaround started by Marcus Rashford, who headed in Diogo Dalot's looped cross in the 62nd minute.
But the positive vibes created by Sancho could not completely offset the damage of dropped points against relegation-battling Leeds. Casemiro's three-match ban had an immediate effect as the Red Devils' midfield looked weak and disorganised. Conceding in the first three minutes of each half was unacceptable.
Manchester United are now three points up on Newcastle for third place and four points ahead of Tottenham for the final Champions League qualification spot.
GOAL breaks down the winners, losers and ratings from the Red Devils' draw...