MICHAEL CARRICK has not so much been out of the spotlight this season but off the stage.
The man who looked like he had become a permanent fixture after the last two seasons had been mysteriously absent for much of this.
He was not even in the squad for two of the first three league games and has started only two in all.
Rumours of a problem behind the scenes were denied very early on but the player himself must have been wondering what was going on.
There is no way Anderson is better than him, not even close.
Manager Alex Ferguson's argument was the need to use the ageing Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs while they were fresh at the start of the season.
The way they have performed, it has looked a shrewd-enough decision.
Whatever the reasons, Carrick was not playing as much he felt he should and that must have grated.
But last night with a swing of his right foot all his woes were forgotten as he delivered a 77th-minute winner to keep United on course for the knockout stages of the Champions League.
The significance to Carrick must have been greater.
Having been chosen in this starting line-up, as in Besiktas, we had started to see the passes, touches and vision that will be needed more than ever this season with Cristiano Ronaldo gone. Then came his goal.
Wayne Rooney laid the ball in to Dimitar Berbatov, whose flick for Ryan Giggs was too heavy.
The Welshman stretched to keep control of it and then gave the chance to Carrick, whose first-time curling effort was unstoppable.
The Geordie lad punched the air with delight, his boat had not so much come in but finally launched.
His goal also marked an eighth straight win for United and they are still to get out of third gear.
As in Besiktas, it had not been classic Reds but it had been effective.
As ever when their game is not flowing, the heart still pumps the will to win through their veins.
They needed it last night too, having gone behind to the German champions in the 55th minute despite having the majority of the play.
Wolfsburg's front line was always one to fear, even though the team gives goals away.
Indeed Edin Dzeko and Grafite hit 71 between them last season, including a record 54 in the Bundesliga as Wolfsburg took the title for the first time.
It was Dzeko who broke the deadlock last night.
Referee Viktor Kassai of Hungary played an excellent advantage and when Maketo Hasebe flicked a cross to the far post, Dzeko was there to outjump Patrice Evra and power home a header.
United's reply would come within four minutes as Ryan Giggs celebrated his 150th United goal. It will not end up on any video of great Red strikes but it was significant all the same as the momentum quickly swung back in United's favour.
Anderson was fouled just outside the area and the crowd called for veteran ace Giggs, 35, to step forward.
He duly did and with the help of a massive deflection through the Wolfsburg wall, the ball flew past a wrongfooted goalkeeper and in.
United sensed the win and from the restart immediately went for another goal. Antonio Valencia crossed from the right only for Vidic to mis-kick his shot. Then from a corner Giggs found Rooney, who curled his effort just over.
The waves of Red attacks kept crashing down on the Wolfsburg goal and finally they would be breached again.
It is a win that should not be underestimated, for while the name Wolfsburg may not be as recognisable as Bayern Munich, they are still the best team in Germany based on last season.
While Evra was outjumped for their goal and there was always danger in the air, the Reds defence restricted them to few clear chances.
United meanwhile had opportunities spurned by Valencia and, more surprisingly, Rooney.
His first game in Europe for United was one he will never forget, but few will remember this one.
It was five years ago this week that Rooney scored a hat-trick in a 6-2 win over Fenerbahce on his full debut. Last night there was a scuffed shot here and an effort curled over the bar there.
As ever though, he was whirling dervish of energy - something Michael Owen did not have the chance to be in only his third start for the club.
Having battled back from injury and got fit to be ready for United, he had the bit between his teeth, particularly after scoring the late winner in the Manchester derby.
He sat out training on Tuesday with a tight groin but felt fit to start.
Within minutes he was struggling and by the 19th he was off, replaced by Berbatov. The frustration was written all over his face.
Fabio Capello watched from the stands and a chance for Owen to shine in front of the England manager had gone.
It was a chance Carrick was able to take.
