It would have taken a brave man, or perhaps a foolish one, to put money on Nemanja Matic being offered a new contract at Manchester United at the end of last year.
The Serb had been frozen out by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and looked set for a move away from Old Trafford, such had the Norwegian's trust in him withered.
Less than four months on, however, and Matic's standing within the dressing room has been flipped on its head.
Now seen as key to their recent upturn in fortunes on the pitch, United have taken up the option to extend his contract by a year.