Manchester United were facing yet another catastrophic defeat as Aston Villa raced into a 2-0 lead at Old Trafford.
Then Alejandro Garnacho, the teenage talent they serenade with a chant that once belonged to Cristiano Ronaldo, stepped up.
The Argentina international had already established himself as the club's most important young player prior to kick off.
His goal against Everton earlier this month was proof of an asset that is growing increasingly vital.
Manchester United were impressive as they secured a 3-2 victory over Aston Villa
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Yet this was Garnacho's best performance for United so far - and it couldn't have come at a better time.
John McGinn and Leander Dendoncker struck to propel Villa into a 2-0 lead that seemed unassailable.
Given the way United have performed this term, nobody expected them to summon the courage of old to get anything from the game.
However, Garnacho rose to the fore to save Erik ten Hag from the sack. For the time being, at least.
He started the game on the left wing, with Marcus Rashford shunted to the right.
Only once the roles were reserved, however, did United manage to mount their stirring comeback.
Garnacho had already seen one effort chalked off for offside prior to opening his account in the 59th minute.
Just 11 minutes later he struck again, with the 19-year-old firing home on his left foot to spark wild celebrations around the ground.
It was evident, from that moment on, that United had rediscovered their confidence - and their goalscoring touch.
Garnacho wasn't the matchwinner. Instead it was Rasmus Hojlund, who finally got off the mark in the Premier League for the first time.
However, it was Hojlund who gifted Garnacho with the Man of the Match award after the game in recognition of his team-mates' exploits.
There isn't a lot to be positive about when it comes to United these days.
Yet Garnacho, who cost the club just £100,000 upon arriving from Atletico Madrid in 2020, is their big hope for the future.
The right wing is where he must now stay, with Rashford on the left and Hojlund down the middle.
There could yet be a way for United to turn their season around, especially with such a talented teenager in their ranks.
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Manchester United star Alejandro Garnacho celebrates scoring against Aston Villa on Tuesday night
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Whether that happens, however, is something only time will tell.
Garnacho, meanwhile, was delighted after propelling United to victory over Villa - and insisted they're still behind Ten Hag.
"It is a great feeling. We are Manchester United," he said.
"We were two-nil down, but we never give up, and it was a great comeback from the team.
"Yes I wanted to try and take control of things.
Manchester United hitman Rasmus Hojlund celebrates his goal in Aston Villa win
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"I said we just needed one goal to get back into it, I got that first one but it was offside.
"But as I said before we never give up so it was a case of scoring the first goal and keeping on pressing.
"I am very happy for Rasmus also to get his first league goal.
"Too many people talk about the strikers at Man United, that we never score goals or get assists, but you see today Rashford with assists, goals for Rasmus and me.
"Everyone is very happy."