Marcus Rashford was the unlikely hero in Manchester United's do-or-die clash with FC Midtjylland, marking an unexpected debut with a dream brace that saw Louis van Gaal's men through a tricky Europa League tie.
A terrible string of injuries has seen United forced to rely on youth products, although the 18-year-old striker was so far down the pecking order his name did not even appear on the back of the matchday programme.
Rashford is likely to be the cover star next time, though, having been thrust into the spotlight following Anthony Martial's warm-up injury and netting twice as United overcame a first-leg defeat and first-half Midtjylland goal to win 5-1 on the night and 6-3 on aggregate.
It was a dream end to an evening that looked to be going horribly wrong when Pione Sisto all-too-easily carved open United's makeshift defence to put the Danish champions ahead at Old Trafford.
Nikolay Bodurov, on loan from Fulham, turned a Memphis Depay cross into his own goal shortly afterwards, but nerves grew as Morgan Schneiderlin hit the woodwork and then Juan Mata saw a penalty saved.
They need not have worried, though, as Rashford came to the rescue, turning home crosses from Mata and Guillermo Varela to put United in the driving seat.
Ander Herrera's penalty and a Depay strike either side of Andre Romer's red card added extra gloss to the scoreline as they progressed to the last 16.
The result eases the pressure on Van Gaal, who called for his team to be hungry and, rather amusingly, "horny" in the build-up to a match which ended a run of four games on the road.
Martial's warm-up blow took the number of injured first-team players to 13 and led to Rashford making his debut alongside 19-year-old Joe Riley, who made his first start in a defence that saw Michael Carrick drop back to partner Daley Blind.
The makeshift backline was not tested early on as the hosts pressed, albeit without seriously threatening until a Rashford snapshot forced goalkeeper Mikkel Andersen to tip around the post.
Midtjylland's organised defence was frustrating the hosts, who were caught by a 28th-minute sucker punch
Sisto capitalised on the home side's hastily-assembled backline during a rare voyage forwards, turning Blind with ease and skipping past Carrick before firing a low, right-footed strike past Sergio Romero.
It was a strike against the run of play and a setback United responded to with defiance.
Depay had been a nuisance from the outset and finally punished the visitors, sending in a fizzing cross that Bodurov turned past his own goalkeeper.
Schneiderlin went close with an overhead kick and hit the woodwork in-between a long-range Depay strike as resurgent United looked to take the lead - something they appeared set to do when Herrera was taken down by Romer.
Referee Istvan Vad pointed to the spot and Mata stepped up, only for Andersen saving the penalty down to his right.
It was a missed opportunity United looked determined to atone for after half-time, with Schneiderlin and Herrera, in particular, wasting good chances.
The hosts launched attack after attack and the breakthrough eventually arrived in the 64th minute. Mata impressively cut back at the far post and Rashford capitalised, slotting home and wheeling off in celebration.
United fans expected to have another chance of a penalty shortly afterwards as Jesse Lingard went down, only for the winger to receive a booking for supposedly taking a tumble.
However, they were not to be frustrated for long as Rashford's dream night continued, turning home after Varela clipped in a ball from the right.
It was a blow Midtjylland were unable to recover from and matters got worse in the dying stages, with Herrera turning home from the spot after Kian Hansen handled a Depay shot.
Romer was then sent off for a second yellow card, before Depay took aim from the edge of the box to make it five.
TWEET OF THE MATCH
"Memphis on flames tonight" - While Marcus Rashford stole most of the plaudits, Aston Villa midfielder Jack Grealish (@JackGrealish1) reserved some praise for the impressive Memphis Depay.
RATINGS
Manchester United
Sergio Romero: 6
Guillermo Varela: 6
Michael Carrick: 6
Daley Blind: 6
Joe Riley: 6
Morgan Schneiderlin: 6
Ander Herrera: 6
Jesse Lingard: 6
Juan Mata: 6
Memphis Depay: 8
Marcus Rashford: 8
Subs:
Marcos Rojo (for Riley, 79): 6
Andreas Pereira (for Lingard, 87): 5
Regan Poole (for Herrera, 90): 5
FC Midtjylland
Mikkel Andersen: 7
Andre Romer: 4
Kian Hansen: 6
Nikolay Bodurov: 5
Filip Novak: 6
Tim Sparv: 6
Rilwan Hassan: 5
Jakob Poulsen: 6
Kristoffer Olsson: 6
Pione Sisto: 7
Marcos Urena: 5
Subs:
Paul Onuachu (for Urena, 46): 5
Vaclav Kadlec (for Hassan, 66): 5
Martin Pusic (for Olsson, 79): 5
MOMENT OF THE MATCH
Pione Sisto underlined just why so many of Europe's elite are keeping a close eye on his development with a fine opening goal. Showing exceptional composure on such a grand stage, he turned Daley Blind and cut past Michael Carrick before tucking home.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Marcus Rashford: The 18-year-old was thrown in at the deep end after Anthony Martial was injured in the warm-up. Rashford took to the stage with ease and netted twice on a dream debut to put United on course for victory.
VIEW FROM THE BENCH
Louis van Gaal wanted his players to show desire and he certainly got the response he craved. Falling behind in the first half was a blow, but they responded brilliantly and the young players did themselves proud.
MOAN OF THE MATCH
'Glory, glory Man United' being blared out at every occasion. It is as an important part of the club's identity, but does not really work when you are going in at half-time drawing 1-1.
WHO'S UP NEXT?
Manchester United v Arsenal, Barclays Premier League (Sunday, February 28)
FC Midtjylland v AaB Fodbold, Danish Superliga (Monday, February 29)
Louis van Gaal was pleased with the second-half showing from Manchester United, particularly that of Rashford who took heed of some half-time advice.
On the 18-year-old's performance, the Dutch manager told BT Sport: "Unbelievable, in the first half he ran too much, too much on the sidelines, and I said at half-time, 'You have to be within the width of the goal and you shall score,' and you see he scores two goals, it is fantastic for him.
"It was a great performance, I think the fans shall have enjoyed our attacking football."
Rashford was only playing because of an injury to Martial in the warm-up, but Van Gaal said the France international was not set for a long-term lay-off.
"I think he is smart and wise to step out, because it was not a rupture, it was a tight hamstring," he said. "I don't think it is very heavy."
Depay, who impressed all evening on the left flank, wrapped up the victory with a fine goal late on and he was satisfied with his evening's work.
"Tonight was good, we enjoyed it on the pitch and you could see that," said the winger. "We are very happy to go through, we have to keep the spirit in the team and look forward to Sunday."
United host Arsenal at Old Trafford on Sunday in the Barclays Premier League and Van Gaal is hoping for a repeat performance.
He added: "The players have to recover, we have to cope with that and I hope it shall be a very good match."
Source: PA
