COMMENT: Glenn Murray should've scored. He should've put his laces through the ball and powered it past David de Gea. But to be fair, the Manchester United goalkeeper gave the Crystal Palace striker little chance. At 1-1 and with United's defence on the rack, Murray had a great chance to put the hosts ahead. But De Gea through up a strong right hand and denied the striker with a breathtaking point-blank save. It was reminiscent of Peter Schmeichel and why many are claiming the Spaniard the best in the world.
That United went on to grab all three points, thanks to Marouane Fellaini's winner, simply reinforced the difference De Gea has made this season.
If United have upped their latest contract offer from £140,000-a-week to £200,000-a-week, it's understandable. It's not just about De Gea's status in the game, it's what he is now worth to the club.
There's no chance United, without De Gea between the posts, would be anywhere near the top four. The guaranteed £25 million from the Champions League aside, there's also the lucrative bonuses due from platinum sponsors for competing in Europe's elite competition.
After a year out of Europe, the money will again be flowing into the club's coffers. Something Jorge Mendes will be all too aware of as he negotiates new terms on De Gea's behalf.
By now, the deal should be done. They've been talking since the end of last season. But as the likes of Ashley Young, Phil Jones, Jonny Evans, Paddy McNair, Andreas Pereira and Tyler Blackett have all put pen to paper on new agreements in recent months, De Gea's contract remains unsigned.
Jamie Carragher, the former Liverpool defender, could be right. We could be seeing De Gea's final games as a United player.
It'd be a real shame for United, particularly for current and past coaching staff, to see Real Madrid benefit from all the work and faith shown in De Gea.
You think of Eric Steele, who scouted De Gea for months before Sir Alex Ferguson chose to sign the Atletico Madrid No1 on his goalkeeping coach's recommendation. Steele stood by De Gea for those first two, difficult seasons, even taking Spanish lessons to help the youngster adapt.
Steele was his biggest supporter. Wondering why Ferguson, even after that infamous flap at Tottenham and the hammering from Gary Neville, stood by De Gea? It was because of the faith he had in Steele's judgment.
The 60 year-old, now with Derby County, was disappointed to be replaced by Chris Woods when David Moyes took charge at United. But there must have been great satisfaction with the way De Gea's game blossomed last season working with Woods.
Still only 24, De Gea is now fulfilling the promise that had Steele raving to Ferguson about five years ago.
Today at Carrington, everything is in place for De Gea to realise his potential. At £200,000-a-week, United are willing to make him the best paid goalkeeper in the game's history. And under Louis van Gaal, in Frans Hoek, he's working with one of the best keeper coaches on the planet.
Jasper Cillessen, the Ajax No1, reacted to being linked with United just last month by stating: "It's a great honour, particularly with Frans Hoek now there."
Van Gaal and Ed Woodward, the United executive chairman, have put everything in place to satisfy De Gea. Contract status can be ticked off. Coaching staff the same. Van Gaal has even brought a fellow Spaniard, in the charismatic Victor Valdes, to push him in training.
But the pull of Real Madrid is difficult to resist for any player, let alone a young lad from Madrid. If De Gea does leave in the summer, it will be one loss that cannot be blamed on the efforts of United.
