When Manchester United's players made their way back to the dressing room at half-time at Goodison Park last Saturday, only Patrick Dorgu would have been within his rights to walk in with his head lifted.
The £25million recruit was the only bright spark in what was a forgettable first half. United trailed 2-0 at the interval and had been second best all over the pitch.
However, Dorgu had offered United supporters something to cling onto. Making just his second Premier League start, he looked more seasoned than some of his teammates who have made hundreds of top-flight appearances.
READ MORE: Man United given green light for David de Gea transfer repeat as £30m battle commences
READ MORE: Diego Leon fires message to Manchester United and Ruben Amorim following transfer
Following United's transition to a 3-4-2-1 formation under head coach Ruben Amorim, United made the addition of a left-sided wing-back their leading objective for the January window.
They had been starved of a natural left-sided full-back/wing-back almost all season and addressing that area of concern had to be a non-negotiable. Dorgu is a natural fit and he has the athletic profile Amorim needs to make his system work.
The Dane frequently got forward, particularly in the first half, with the bulk of United's attacks coming down his flank. He often exchanged passes with Bruno Fernandes, who started as the left-sided No.10.
However, United were starved of any sort of creativity on the opposite flank. Diogo Dalot has recently been restored to the right after spending almost all season on the left and he has so far struggled to produce the attacking threat Amorim craves from his wing-backs.
Of course, Dorgu was at the centre of a defensive mix up and was shown a straight red card in Wednesday night's 3-2 defeat to Ipswich Town. He was dismissed shortly before half-time for a nasty challenge on Omari Hutchinson.
His first red card of his United career resulted in criticism being aimed at him by some, prompting Amorim to launch a passionate defence of the youngster, rightly pointing out that mistakes will happen. Despite his breakdown in communication with Andre Onana and the red card, he has already done enough to prove he fits Amorim's system nicely.
Amad started the Amorim era as the right-sided wing-back and quickly got to grips with the role, producing a strong attacking output. Prior to his recent injury, he had been pushed forward to operate in the right-sided No.10 role due to Amorim's craving for a left-footed player in that position.
Amorim has previously hinted that he believes Amad could become a long-term option for United at right wing-back, but he could be required to play further forward. It means the addition of a new right-sided wing-back already feels key this summer.
As reported by the Manchester Evening News last month, United remain open to signing Sporting Lisbon star Geovany Quenda. He played under Amorim in Portugal and predominantly plays on the right.
Dorgu's suitability to Amorim's system and the way he wants his team to play has quickly highlighted what United are missing on the opposite flank. They need a player with similar energy levels and attacking intentions.
The wing-backs are key to making Amorim's system work, and that was highlighted by former United captain Gary Neville back in December when he was analysing what the squad needed ahead of the January window.
"I think if you were starting, you'd have to start with the fundamentals of this system, which is the wing-backs, they hold it together," Neville told Sky Sports.
"If you don't have the wing-backs functioning up and down that are able to attack and defend equally as good, and there aren't many of those around, by the way, because there aren't many teams that play wing-back, then you're going to struggle.
"So you need two quite unique players in those wide areas, and I think that will be the starting point."
Dorgu, of course, is the first piece in Amorim's jigsaw, and plenty more pieces need adding in the coming windows, as he attempts to fine-tune his squad to his needs.
To ensure Amorim can make his preferred formation work, he needs the right tools - and it has recently become evident that Dalot is not the ideal fit in either of the two wing-back positions. He lacks the creativity and the energy to have an impact from out wide.
Though it is still very early days in Dorgu's United career, the positives make up for his difficult first half against Ipswich, highlighting Amorim was right to target something of an unknown quantity for his first statement signing as United boss.
He has also highlighted what is missing on the opposing flank.
