Teenage winger Alejandro Garnacho took centre stage as Manchester United came from behind to beat Aston Villa in a thrilling Carabao Cup tie at Old Trafford.
Villa led twice as the second half sparked into life after a tepid opening period.
But Garnacho's appearance off the bench a minute after Diogo Dalot's own goal changed the dynamic of the contest.
The young Argentine ran directly at the Villa defence and they could not cope.
After Marcus Rashford levelled, Garnacho steered Robin Olsen's wayward pass into the path of Bruno Fernandes, whose shot deflected in off Tyrone Mings
Then it was Garnacho who delivered the superb left-wing cross that Scott McTominay turned home to ensure United's progression into the last 16.
Garnacho the star on frantic night at Old Trafford
The difference between the first half and the second could not have been more pronounced.
While the highlights of a tepid opening period were a needless yellow card for a clumsy tackle by Harry Maguire on Ollie Watkins and two speculative set-pieces by Douglas Luiz and Fernandes, the action after the break was electric.
It took Villa just three minutes to take the lead as Watkins finished superbly past Martin Dubravka after being sent clear by Jacob Ramsey.
The smoke from a flare set off in celebration of Villa's opener had not even begun to clear by the time Fernandes crossed for Anthony Martial to equalise a minute later.
When Dalot turned Leon Bailey's nodback into his own net, new Villa boss Unai Emery must have thought he was going to start his reign with successive victories.
He reckoned without Garnacho. The youngster was involved in the equaliser as Ashley Young stretched to prevent him getting to the ball and inadvertently set up Rashford, who steadied himself before applying a fine finish.
The best was yet to come, though.
It seems such a daunting comparison, but those who were there when Cristiano Ronaldo took Bolton apart on the same wing, in the same area of the field 19 years ago, could not escape the feeling they were watching something similar again.
That the pair should now be team-mates seems bizarre.
But, as Ronaldo's influence is without question beginning to wane, Garnacho's career is all in front of him.
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag, speaking to Sky Sports said he was happy with the performanceof his charges.
"Our two halves are never the same. We controlled the game in the first half by good pressing, we won a lot of possession but then did the wrong things. Bad in transition, missing the pass, one step too late passing in behind so we missed a lot of opportunities. We were sloppy and had some corners against us. At half time we said keep the pressing but be more direct. I'm proud of the team we could do that, we are happy tonight.
"They [Aston Villa] play with a high line so you have to pass the ball behind and we were quite successful in the second half. The problem in the first half was that we had too many touches and missed the moment that's why we brought Christian Eriksen on.
"Happy with that resilience. That's what we need and have to show every game, I was so disappointed and mad on Sunday because we didn't fight. We were sloppy, especially in the defence and United players always have to show 100% discipline."
On season so far: "Quick game, intense game. What we have to do better we have to play football at a high intensity because that's what the top teams do. We have made a step in the right direction but we have to find the moments to get more composure on then ball and find the moments where we can speed up. We are in the right direction but still a long way to go."
On using World Cup to reflect: "We continually analyse and reflect, now we have a bit more time. We can go a bit deeper and we will do that and see where we can improve."
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