It's been a slow burn of a pre-season for Alejandro Garnacho, but the Manchester United starlet played like he was determined to make up for lost time against Rayo Vallecano on Sunday.
The 18-year-old clocked up more than 21,000 air miles on the club's pre-season tour of Thailand and Australia without kicking a ball in a match situation.
With Erik ten Hag using pre-season to build a team ready to compete in his ethos on the opening day this weekend, some of the youngsters have had to take a back seat this summer, but of the 27 outfield players that travelled on tour, Garnacho was the only one not to feature. READ MORE: Why United are bringing Tom Huddlestone to the club The teenager impressed in training in Bangkok, Melbourne and Perth, but had to twiddle his thumbs come matchday.
The sight of Tahith Chong getting game time ahead of him was a surprise, given the Dutch winger turns 23 in December and time must surely be up on his United career.