It had taken ten games, but ultimately Louis van Gaal reverted to a shape that had delivered goals and shipped a fair few at the other end.
Manchester United had not started with a diamond formation since early December, but there it was again in the 3-1 win over Leicester City on Saturday.
The last two months had seen a back three used at the start of games, with occasional experiments involving Angel Di Maria in a forward role at times.
It was an experiment that did not work in more recent weeks as United laboured and struggled to find goals.
Unless the opposition is playing a ludicrously high line, Di Maria's pace is nullified that close to deep-lying defenders.
PIC: It was celebrations all-round after Falcao's fourth career goal for the Reds in the first half. #mufclive pic.twitter.com/7VQ73or1OW
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 31, 2015
As he proved at Real Madrid and in the early weeks of his Man United career (it was notable in the 5-3 defeat to Leicester in September), Di Maria is far more dangerous running from deep, where he can build up a head of steam and commit defenders.
As seen in Argentina's draw against Switzerland in the last-16 of the 2014 World Cup, patient, technical football does not wholly suit his attributes - he gave away the ball over 50 times in that particular encounter.
Indeed, he misplaced 31 per cent of his passes against Leicester.
However, his best attributes could be seen in Radamel Falcao's goal against the Foxes, when Di Maria made a run from deep to a collect a pass, breaking the lines before taking a shot from the left side for his centre-forward to bundle in off the rebound.
Of course, the reason why Van Gaal abandoned the diamond and moved to a back three was to bring more defensive stability, as the prior shape leaves plenty of spaces - especially in the channels.
But it may be worth the risk to revert back to the diamond midfield in specific matches if it means that one of his key weapons can be unleashed.
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