As they have been almost all season, but especially since their Champions League group stage exit against Wolfsburg, Manchester were on the brink of disintegration two weeks ago after a shock first leg 2-1 defeat against Danish side Midtjylland.

The post-match reaction followed this season’s ritual: criticize van Gaal, question the club’s transfer policy, bemoan the injury crisis (but also the harsh training methods), accuse Ed Woodward – the club’s chief executive – of lacking strategic direction and argue for change of touchline management.

On the Monday after that frigid and disappointing night in Denmark, United faced Shrewsbury in the F.A Cup. Despite United’s struggles, they were expected to win, but there were still doubts that van Gaal’s men could orchestrate another expensive blunder.

United won 3-0, but it was not enough to placate a fan base still simmering with anger from the defeat in Denmark and of course the ticket price fiasco.

Then Midtjylland came to Old Trafford. United were vengeful—their thirst was obvious from the first kick of the game. The gulf in class was apparent. United dominated, but failed to capitalize on possession as Midtjylland sat back. Then Midtjylland scored against the run of play. A simple error exposed the fragility of the makeshift center back pairing of Carrick and Blind.

At that moment, it seemed like van Gaal’s Waterloo would come in the form of a little known Danish side. The English side now trailed 3-1 on aggregate and many believed that United’s European journey was coming to another premature end.

United managed a goal back—via a deflection from a Memphis Depay cross. Moments later, United were awarded a penalty kick that Juan Mata failed to convert, but United looked more dangerous especially on the left side where Memphis Depay played.

United scored four goals in the second half in what is in real contention for their best 45 minutes this season. The football was quick, the goals were exciting, the atmosphere was buzzing.

But it was United’s young players who caught everyone’s eyes.

Start with Memphis Depay, the man of the match. Memphis arrived at Old Trafford with a high profile and was quickly entrusted with a high profile task—to replace Angel Di Maria and inherit the club’s legendary number 7 jersey. Everyone will tell you that Memphis has failed on both counts, but they will also tell you that he is a great talent, a talent for the future.

Against Midtjylland, Memphis travelled across time with ease. He showed not only a glimpse of what he will offer once he is fully settled in, but also a trip down memory lane where he combined the trickery and shooting technique of Cristiano Ronaldo, the electrifying pace of Ryan Giggs and the youthful indecision of Luis Nani. Memphis caused an own goal, created a penalty kick, distributed a few bookings and capped off the night with a spectacular goal that in essence was his way of saying “I have arrived.”

Memphis was undoubtedly United’s most influential player that night, but the man who caused the most excitement was Marcus Rashford, an 18-year old academy product called into the side because of a pre-game injury sustained by Anthony Martial. Rashford netted twice and was full of energy all night.

Other notable performers were Guillermo Varela (22) and Joe Riley (20).

Van Gaal faith in youth was rewarded handsomely and lifted the mood around the Theater of Dreams, but there was a general consensus, if not unanimous agreement that United’s mini revival (United has been so poor this season that literally every win signals the start of a renaissance), would come crashing down against Arsenal.

Arsenal beat United 3-0 in their previous meeting and everyone expected that United would be lucky if they lost by a similar score. United’s squad was depleted, with 12 senior players out. The team selected to face Arsenal was very inexperienced.

Arsenal sent out a full squad and opted for lots of pace up front (Welbeck, Walcott, Sanchez) to capitalize on the defensive weakness of Carrick and Blind.

I don’t need to repeat the story of what transpired on Sunday. Marcus Rashford scored twice, Louis van Gaal took a brilliant dive and United handed 3 young players their Premier League debut. Timothy Fosu-Mensah came on for the injured Marcos Rojo and James Weir replaced Anders Herrera to run down the clock.

Arsenal trailed all game and lost 3-2.

It was United’s youngsters who captured the headlines, but the old guard deserved credit too. Memphis Depay was not as influential or entertaining against Arsenal but he played well and defended well. If Depay’s coming out party was against Midtjylland, he showed against Arsenal that he is comfortable with his decision.

In four days, Old Trafford had gone from the Theater of Dreams (because of the soporific nature of United’s football this season) to the Theater of Dreams (where an 18-year could scored 4 goals in 2 games, do in 30 minutes what it took Messi 10 hours to do against Petr Cech and beat a side that is a serious title contender with a depleted squad).

With a Europa League tie against Liverpool, a FA Cup quarterfinals game against West Ham and the possibility of a top 4 finish, United fans are happy and optimistic again, but they are cautious because they have been here more than once, caught celebrating a comeback only to be brought back down to earth.

United will face Watford today in the Premier League before a fixture against West Brom. With the mood around Old Trafford and the general horniness in the team, United should beat Watford.

A win against Watford will elevate hopes that the season has turned (even if the turn came too late).

Whether these hopes are sustained or translated into a late season push is another story.

Until then, United marches on.