When Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was still just caretaker manager of Manchester United, big-name incomings weren't quite as frequent as they are now.
In fact, the Norwegians first signing back in December 2018 wasn't even a first-team player - instead, it was a 16-year-old signed from Ligue 1 side Amiens.
Noam Emeran's arrival, rather understandably, wasn't met with a great deal of fanfare. However, those in the know had plenty of reasons to be pleased, as United managed to beat the likes of PSG and Juventus to the winger's signature.
Advert
He completed his move to Old Trafford in the same month that Marouane Fellaini left for the CSL, concluding an otherwise forgettable January transfer window for the club.
Nevertheless, after a settling in period, the 18-year-old now appears to be making the kind of progress in United's youth sides that many would have been hoping for when they first signed him.
Advert
Emeran recently graduated from the Under-18 side following a series of stand out performances last year.
Now a member of the U23 squad, it appears that advice from former club legend Wayne Rooney may have helped the youngster turn a crucial corner - after initially struggling in England.
He told French local newspaper Le Courrier Picard: "After talking to my family, I think it was the best choice over what I was offered to help reach the top level."
On his arrival, he met Rooney, who offered Emeran some sage words of wisdom.
Emeran claimed to Le Parisien: "He told me: A player makes good or bad his career choice based on his determination. I realised that I had to be demanding of myself."
Advert
The player is being eased into the U23 squad, as he has made just two appearances from the bench thus far this campaign.
Given what Rooney told him, you can bet Emeran will keep working on his game to prove he has what it takes to star in the Premier League one day.
Advert
After just 11 months in England, Emeran was handed his first professional contract, a sign of United's faith in his ability to eventually come good.
With a wand of a left foot and an eye for the spectacular, the former Amiens stand-out could very well be the next academy starlet to make the step up to Solskjaer's senior squad.
Topics: Manchester United, Premier League, Wayne Rooney