Manuel Lanzini’s amazingly fast return to action from a devastating injury which saw him miss the World Cup, undergo critical surgery in Barcelona and tread a lonely road to recovery speaks volumes for the man.
That he should make his Hammers comeback in such style on Friday night was as astonishing as it was thrilling for the fans who probably see him as No 1 above Arnautovic and all the rest with the possible exceptions of Declan and Fabianski.
It’s a testimony to the uncomplaining attitude he adopts when meeting problems. He may not be one just yet but he’s made of the stuff from which Hammers legends are born.
There can’t have been a single fan inside the stadium or watching on the box who didn’t at the very least feel acutely nervous for him after such a disastrous injury.
And there were moments when some inside the club feared for his long term future but after receiving incredible adulation from the fans, he threw himself into the game like – well – the old Manu Lanzini.
And it’s clear that the adulation is a two way thing following an Instagram post in which he speaks of his relationship with them.
He said: “After eight months of work and recovery, I went back to do what I like most and what I love.
It wasn’t easy, many feelings and many things go through your head but always put in effort and work. I want to thank the fans for their support they always gave me.