Christmas came early in December for Manchester United's fearless forward Marcus Rashford. Two goals, four assists and significant shows of faith from Jose Mourinho.
Rashford started instead of Romelu Lukaku in their 2-2 draw against Arsenal a fortnight ago and could do so again at Anfield on Sunday afternoon.
You can only imagine who Liverpool centre back Virgil van Dijk would rather face out of those two, with one on fire and the other misfiring.
The Dutchman, arguably the Premier League's best defender at present, would no doubt fancy his chances against the Belgian who can often simply be too static.
Rashford, on the other hand, would test Liverpool's defence.
Only Manchester City and Chelsea have managed more possession on average than Jurgen Klopp's side, so the visitors may have to rely on the counter.
That is where Rashford can come in handy. The 21-year-old has attempted the second-most dribbles for United in the Premier League this season, despite not always playing.
His directness can be a threat at Anfield, just as it was in Spain on Wednesday.
After United's Champions League 2-1 loss to Valencia, Mourinho was critical of his starters, which included the misfiring Lukaku. Three substitutes were involved in their late goal, with Ashley Young and Jesse Lingard playing key parts in the build-up to Rashford scoring.
In 69 minutes, Lukaku managed zero shots on or off target and a 64 per cent passing accuracy. In a 33-minute cameo, Rashford managed three shots, got his goal and 94.1 per cent.
So the youngster could be selected ahead of £75million Lukaku once again. There are other statistics which say it would be the right call, too.
Against the rest of the Premier League's Big Six clubs since the start of last campaign, Rashford's shot conversion rate sits at a staggering 25 per cent. Lukaku's sits at five per cent.
Last season, the young England international scored twice against Liverpool in a 2-1 win which strengthened United's grip on second place in the Premier League.
Ever since his debut double against Midtjylland in the Europa League, he has shown several times he has a knack for producing the goods in big games.
Really, Mourinho should receive credit for the way he has managed Rashford. When the Portuguese was appointed, some supporters feared for their academy product.
They thought he would be forced to leave on loan to satisfy his need for time on the pitch. Yet Rashford has remained an integral part of the first team.
He leads the United table for goal involvements this season with eight. Next up is Anthony Martial on seven, then Lukaku and Paul Pogba on six apiece.
Rashford talks a good game, too. 'No, we don't go there as underdogs,' he said, despite them sitting 16 points off their rivals in the Premier League. 'We go there to win.'
We know he can play on the left of an attacking three behind Lukaku. Against Fulham, the Premier League equivalent of sitting ducks, Rashford helped himself to two goals and one assist.
Yet given the choice, it is safe to assume Van Dijk and Co would not fancy facing the young whippersnapper as much as they would Lukaku.
