It was one of the more surprising turns in a season that was full of them.
When Paul Scholes called it a day in 2011, there was little else that one could suggest the former England midfielder had left to prove.
After enjoying a fantastically successful last number of years with United, his departure at 37-years-old came as no great surprise at all.
When he came on as a substitute against Manchester City in an FA Cup tie in January 2012, nobody really could have seen it coming.
Speaking on BT Sport this evening about the manner of his return, as he warmed up to come on for his first appearance during his second spell with the club, Scholes recalls one question that rang out from City coach, David Platt - a question he had no real answer for:
"What the hell are you doing?"
"I don't know."
Scholes' return would bring yet another Premier League title in the 2012/13 season. Yet, the manner of how he got there is remarkable.
Having agreed to coach United's U-23s with Warren Joyce, a few training sessions with the likes of Paul Pogba and Jesse Lingard reinvigorated a feeling that Scholes thought long gone.
With United struggling to fill the gap left in that midfield role, Scholes recalls one game against Blackburn where Phil Jones and Fabio made up the midfield pairing.
A gap opened up, and, with the advice of Gary and Phil Neville, Scholes decided to pitch the idea of his unexpected return.
Naturally enough, he was welcomed back with open arms; not before he nipped down to his local JJB sports to pick up a pair of boots however.
You can watch the full story of Scholes' return and the difficult situation he found himself in on that return.
How did Paul Scholes' Man Utd comeback happen?
• Jones and Fabio were playing CM ?
• Fergie kept it a secret ?
• Had to buy new boots from JJB ?Scholesey like you've never heard him before... ?#FACupTonight pic.twitter.com/lxLDNKZBXz
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) February 17, 2018
