Luke Shaw is to be given the chance to save his Manchester United future over the Christmas period.
Shaw has made just one Premier League appearance so far this season, with Jose Mourinho preferring Ashley Young as his starting left-back.
But the 22-year-old is set for games over a hectic festive schedule, with fitness staff at Old Trafford looking to protect veteran Young, in a bid to keep him fresh for the latter part of the campaign - with United still in the hunt in four competitions.
And that will see Shaw, spotted out kewellery shopping with girlfriend Anouska Santos at the Trafford Centre on Monday night, offered a fresh opportunity.
Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez has been keen to land the left-back on loan during January, while Shaw himself is said to be eager to reunite with former Southampton mentor Mauricio Pochettino at Spurs.
A switch to north London however is predicated on Danny Rose departing and on United bringing in a new left back - with Alex Sandro, the Juventus defender, on Mourinho's hitlist.
Shaw returned to the United starting XI against Bournemouth in midweek, as United won 1-0.
Mourinho spoke post-game about the England defender, stating he had been impressed with the left-back’s display and improvement.
"Luke started so-so, which is normal but then improving, improving and improving, confidence levels going really high and he had a fantastic hour of football,” said Mourinho.
"Then is normal, physically he was feeling the cramps were coming, Eddie was not far from me and understood that, so they tried to force a little bit from that side, I had to bring Ashley on to protect the team and Luke.
"The reaction from the crowd pleases me because there's not a better thing for a player than that. “
That offered renewed hope that a career that has stagnated at Old Trafford could be resurrected.
However, the £30million full-back found himself back on the bench for the 2-1 win over West Brom, with Young once more preferred.
Shaw has played just 230 minutes for United thus far this term, across four matches.