Before Jesse Lingard skipped past several Watford defenders en route to scoring a superb solo goal to finally secure all three points at Vicarage Road on Tuesday night, most Manchester United fans would have been frustrated by the 24-year-old's performance.
While he found himself in a number of very good positions - as he tends to do with his movement and seemingly limitless engine - his final ball or shot was left wanting on a number of occasions, and when he slotted the ball past Heurelho Gomes you got the feeling that he had spared himself from post-match criticism. And with good reason, what a goal it was.
But Lingard's lack of decisiveness up until that point is the main reason why he has not yet established himself as a true first-teamer at Old Trafford. Occasionally picked in big games, and always capable of popping up with a moment of magic - especially at Wembley - Lingard is not yet someone that is relied upon with regularity.
That, according to Paul Scholes, is his biggest issue at Man Utd.
Speaking on BT Sport after the final whistle, Scholes - who trained with Lingard as he first broke into the first-team squad - expressed that he hasn't really kicked on and nailed down a spot since then.
This lad's got real talent. He gets in great positions, he's capable of doing that [the goal vs Watford] we just need to see it more often now. He hasn't really established himself in the first team, that has to be his next goal now, because as me and Rio know, he's got the ability. Great ability on either foot, can make a goal, score a goal all the attributes you want from a number 10/midfield player.
Competition for places is another issue, but Scholes believes that Lingard has the same level of ability of Henrik Mkhitaryan who has suffered a noticeable dip in form after a great start to the season.
He called on Lingard to improve his consistency and really nail down a spot in the team, as at 24-years-old, he can't really be regarded as a young player anymore.
I think, as Rio was saying, maybe [his teammates] don't trust him enough.
Maybe he's not the big name of a Mkhitaryan or someone like that, but he's got that ability, I'd say the same level of ability as Mkhitaryan. He can score goals, he can make goals, what's his best position? That's another question.
He has to establish himself now, he has to be more consistent, he has to produce more performances like that to make him a real first-team player. I don't think he's ever gone on from that bit-part player, but now he needs to. Now he's 24, now is the time, he has to kick on from here.
Lingard is still a player that divides Man Utd fans, as while he has delivered some truly big moments and special goals, he still has moments where he looks out of his depth completely.
It's a strange one, but the idea that those United fans who do rate Lingard see him as an excellent squad player and nothing more, it's on him to deliver the performances that force a change in opinion.
