Michael Carrick was quick to credit Leny Yoro for his cameo appearance in Manchester United's 1-1 draw at West Ham United, and it is easy to see why.
The Frenchman replaced the excellent Harry Maguire in the 68th minute and was needed as the Hammers looked to exploit our push for an equaliser by hitting us on the break, with pace.
Two brilliant blocks to repel speedy raids by substitutes Callum Wilson and the particularly rapid Adama Traore clearly kept the Reds in the game.
Largely cool and measured in possession, it was an overall contribution that drew praise from his head coach afterwards, acknowledging how it enabled Benjamin Sesko to snatch a point, deep into injury time.
“I have to give credit to Leny,”
explained Carrick, during his press conference. “I thought his two bits of defending, one-versus-one, defending the counter-attack, which we knew he was going to have to do, at times, throwing the bodies forward.
”I thought those two moments, when he blocked shots, were huge.
“He deserves a lot of credit for that, to give us the chance to then go and get the goal that got something out of the game.”
There is a wider context to all this, apart from preserving an unbeaten run that now extends to nine league games, and keeping morale high going into a long break before the trip to Everton.
Firstly, Yoro has had to be patient for opportunities, of late. With the system changing from three central defenders to two, and the return to fitness of Maguire and Lisandro Martinez, plus their outstanding form, he has limited game-time.
Indeed, he'd only played a minute under the boss, coming on towards the end of the 3-2 home win over Fulham.
What is important to remember, as with Kobbie Mainoo, is that Yoro, a player with obvious sky-high potential, is still only 20 years old.
For me, even more encouraging is the fact players are taking their chance to shine, when presented with them.
As Carrick has intimated himself, it is so, so vital for everyone in the squad to realise they are going to have a part to play and be ready to give their maximum at any given time.
Matheus Cunha reacted to being left on the bench by delivering some five-star performances and Sesko has popped up with vital goals.
In the Premier League, it is never just going to be about the starting XI. While we have had three unchanged line-ups on the trot, things can change in football very quickly.
The response from Yoro mirrors that of his colleagues and it was one of the big takehomes from the London Stadium.
There is an excitement, and expectation, of what he can bring to the team as we look to keep this run going.
The opinions in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of Manchester United Football Club.