The news that Zlatan Ibrahimovic will be suspended for the next three domestic games after accepting an FA violent conduct charge for an elbow on Bournemouth defender Tyrone Mings comes as a blow for Manchester United.
The veteran Swede has been the club's talisman since arriving in summer, scoring 26 times in all competitions and always providing the threat of a decisive goal.
But rather than see it as wholly bad news, perhaps there is at least something of a silver lining in that now is the time for Anthony Martial and/or Marcus Rashford to step up and take centre stage.
Last season was all about the young pair of forwards. Martial as top scorer after his largely surprising £36m move from Monaco, and Rashford following his sudden explosion onto the scene as an 18-year-old scoring crucial goal after crucial goal last February.
Both have taken a backseat to Ibrahimovic, as was to be expected, and neither has therefore had the opportunity to start more often than every few games - they've been in the starting XI just 21 times in the Premier League between them so far this season.
The talent and quality is there. It was obvious last season when it was very much a situation of needs must, and each young forward has shown flashes of what they can do on isolated occasionswhen given the chance over the last few months.
From the highs of last season as the stars of the show to the relative disappointment of being relegated to rotation status, the events of 2016/17 up to this point should have been an important learning experience that will ultimately serve both players well in the long run.
This season has been about developing patience and maturity. Now that their chance is here, it's time for them to grab it with both hands and make sure it counts.
United face an FA Cup clash withChelsea as well as well league fixtures against Middlesbrough and West Bromwich Albion before Ibrahimovic is eligible to return.
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