Being at Old Trafford on Tuesday night was quite incredible.
Whether the feeling proves short-lived or sparks something bigger for Michael Carrick and Manchester United remains to be seen, but it was important to see a stadium that has been starved of moments to celebrate this season roaring again.
There was plenty to dissect from the comeback win over Roma, but one of the biggest positives for Carrick was the impressive 15-minute cameo from 19-year-old Shea Lacey.
Lacey came on with the drive, confidence and quality to take responsibility and push United forward. His inch-perfect pass to Matheus Cunha was pivotal in setting up the winner.
It was a moment he had been working towards since the age of eight, when he first chose to join United's academy.
His family, who are originally from Liverpool, allowed him to make his own decision about where he wanted to play his football. He chose the red side of Manchester.
Having worked his way through the age groups at Carrington, despite a few injury setbacks along the way, it was already evident last season that Lacey was ready for the step up to senior football.
Having watched him extensively at U21 level, I have always been struck by the confidence he carries on the pitch. It is not just his trademark move of cutting inside from the right flank onto his left foot that stands out. His vision, spatial awareness and finishing are all qualities that could make him an excellent fit for a United side lacking creativity.
He has the work-rate to match, too. Since beginning to train with the first team permanently last season, Lacey has put plenty of work in behind the scenes to ease his transition into senior football.
He has shown real dedication in the gym and in the kitchen to prepare himself for the physical demands of the men's game. He has also regularly stayed behind after training to do extra work with senior players and coaching staff, including Travis Binnion, who knows the youngster well from his time coaching him at U21 level.
That dedication, combined with an infectious and bubbly personality, has made a big impression at Carrington. It has also caught the attention of Carrick, who wanted Lacey around the first team this season because he believed it could be a breakthrough year for the youngster.
After his impressive performance off the bench against Roma, I do not think it is getting carried away to suggest Lacey should start against Aston Villa on Sunday.
United are short of attacking options, with Benjamin Sesko and Marcus Rashford both sidelined through injury, while Amad Diallo has looked short of confidence in front of goal.
Lacey is not the only young player who will take confidence from Tuesday night. Despite particularly strong performances from Harry Maguire and Youri Tielemans, Carrick will also be encouraged by the way his younger players rose to the challenge.
Leny Yoro continues to build on an encouraging season, while Kobbie Mainoo played a huge part in driving United forward against Roma in his first start since the beginning of October, having recovered from injury.
Throughout his time as United head coach, Carrick has largely relied on the tried and tested. He has favoured Lisandro Martinez and Maguire as his first-choice centre-back pairing over Yoro and Ayden Heaven. Matthijs de Ligt's return from a back injury could also influence those decisions.
At left-back, Carrick has used four different players in the position rather than turn to Harry Amass, the only other natural left-back in the squad besides Luke Shaw. Amass has so far been restricted to brief cameos against Sabah and Como.
Perhaps Lacey's performance on Tuesday night will encourage Carrick to put greater faith in the younger members of his squad, despite the difficult position United find themselves in this season.
These may seem like relatively small positives for an underperforming side, but the win over Roma felt like it could be a significant moment for United.
Perhaps I am being too optimistic, and the opportunity to secure Carrick's long-term future at Old Trafford has already passed. But there are signs that he has some of the ingredients to lead an unlikely revival of United's season.
The challenge now is to build on that second-half performance against Roma when they face Aston Villa on Sunday, live on Sky.
One thing, however, is clear: Lacey deserves a starring role from the start.
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