In a season marked by struggles for consistency and meeting expectations, Manchester United's 2023/24 campaign, somehow, has a notable bright spot: the performances of forward Nikita Parris.

Parris, who made the switch from Arsenal before the 2022 UEFA Women's Euros, initially struggled to make her mark in her inaugural season with the Red Devils. Her transfer, which was met with skepticism (including from myself), led many to believe United could have invested in a younger, potentially more impactful player for the same cost. Her performances were judged under a microscope often. Despite the pressure, she managed to net nine goals in all competitions, contributing to United's most successful season since their 2018 reformation – a Champions League qualification, a second-place finish in the league, and an FA Cup runner-up achievement.

During the summer, Alessia Russo's departure to Arsenal left many rival fans convinced that Manchester United would struggle, perhaps even fail, to find an adequate replacement. The new signings, Geyse and Malard, have faced considerable criticism from these fans, who argue that they haven't matched Russo's level of performance. However, such comparisons overlook the fact that not all forwards share the same playing style, and the amount of playing time Geyse and Malard have received differs from Russo's.  Adapting to the English league is a process, as repeatedly highlighted by Marc Skinner, even though he often uses this argument to deflect criticism of his poor squad management.

Throughout this season, Nikita Parris has somewhat quietly been making a significant impact. With 16 goals in just 17 starts, she's on track to surpass 20 goals. Her positioning and striking ability inside the box are unparalleled. In a difficult season, where finding the silver linings has been extremely tough, Parris has stepped up big time. One can even say:

COMETH THE HOUR, COMETH NIKITA PARRIS

But, it's frustrating to see her lack of recognition, especially considering that no player in the team's history has scored as many goals in a single season since United's promotion to the WSL.

It is refreshing to see her turn it around, proving her critics wrong, myself included but Parris deserves her flowers and rightfully so.