It was an evening for celebration. Manchester United defeated Leicester City 3-0 with relative ease in the Premier League. While they remain 13th, Ruben Amorim's side are starting to rediscover their touch.
Or, perhaps, unearth new qualities for the first time, with Amorim's teachings slowly seeping in by some process of osmosis.
Manchester United celebrate after beating Leicester
With a Europa League quarter-final tie awaiting against French club Lyon after the looming international break, hope has been restored that, just like last year, something can be salvaged from this dreary campaign.
And of course, there was one man, quite literally, who was at the centre of all good at Leicester's King Power Stadium. Bruno Fernandes truly is a marvel.
Bruno Fernandes' performance at Leicester
In a deeper berth, Fernandes went about his business impeccably in midfield, allowing the likes of Rasmus Hojlund and Alejandro Garnacho to take the limelight while pulling the strings in the middle.
Diogo Dalot and Bruno Fernandes celebrate
The captain was the architect, creating both of his younger peers' goals before getting in on the action himself in the late stages, getting his name on the scoresheet to seal the rousing victory.
Football is more than just metrics, but the Portugal star certainly gave a good statistical account of himself, dominating a range of different areas to ensure his squad take off for an international sojourn with spirits high and belief higher still.
However, not everyone shared Bruno's individual success, with Christian Eriksen struggling to impress from a more advanced position.
Why Amorim must drop Christian Eriksen
Eriksen has been a diligent servant since joining Old Trafford's cause on a free transfer in 2022, but at 33 he looks past his best and will depart when his contract expires in the summer.
Manchester United's Christian Eriksen
Though Amorim will enjoy three points, there's little doubt the experienced Dane's performance will linger in his mind, making any number of misplaced passes early on and lacking the incisiveness or athleticism that a younger and hungrier ball-carrier could have enjoyed in his position to the left of Hojlund.
Though he hit the post with a stunning effort from range ran about, Eriksen was handed a 5/10 rating by GOAL and didn't prove himself as a standout in the Man United side, failing to win a single duel while also being thwarted with both attempted dribbles.
Christian Eriksen - Performance at Leicester
Match Stats
Minutes played
Goals
Assists
Touches
Shots (on target)
Accurate passes
Key passes
Possession lost
Dribbles
Tackles + interceptions
Duels won
Stats via Sofascore
Though Eriksen saw off the match with a bit more polish and consistency, he's got to be aware he may be among the first names for the chopping block this summer.
INEOS have shown a ruthless streak in recent weeks, and they may want to act on that with this one. Eriksen is a household Premier League name, but he's no longer able to produce the goods for the Reds, and needs to be axed this summer.
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Manchester United face Leicester City this afternoon, looking to build on their Europa League triumph.