Tom Lawrence was replaced by his manager Ryan Giggs against Hull... the night before the young forward was born the Manchester United legend was scoring at Old Trafford!

Manchester United boss Ryan Giggs handed Tom Lawrence his Premier League debut against Hull City – and then replaced the boy some 20 years his junior midway through the second half.

Lawrence, though, had made enough of an impression in his 70 minutes on the field to suggest it won’t be the last we see of him in United’s colours.

The future of interim gaffer Giggs, however, is not so certain; the substitution could yet prove a landmark moment.

For Giggs, now 40, was already into his fifth year as a professional when Lawrence was born in Wales on January 14, 1994.

In fact, he was recovering from a League Cup outing against Portsmouth the previous night. Giggs had opened the scoring at Old Trafford, only for Paul Walsh to level, Eric Cantona to restore the lead and Walsh to salvage a draw. United won the return leg 1-0.

Two days after Lawrence's birth Giggs was helping United to a 1-0 victory at Spurs as Alex Ferguson’s side went on to defend their Premier League crown.

In the two decades since he has added another 11 English titles to his medals haul, as well as four FA Cups and two Champions Leagues.

But for Lawrence this is very much the start of his journey and his display in Wednesday's 3-0 victory - in which fellow debutant James Wilson netted twice - has been met with enthusiasm by United's followers.

The 20-year-old's emergence, however, has come as something of a surprise to those at United. Indeed, at the start of the season he was on the fringes of the Under-21 side, itching for a loan chance in the lower leagues.

That opportunity came in December when he headed up the M6 to Carlisle United for a two-month stay in League One. Such was the impression made at Brunton Park that Championship outfit Yeovil Town moved to secure his services and, on January deadline day, a three-month deal was struck.

The attacking midfielder made 19 appearances for the Glovers – scoring twice – but was unable to prevent their relegation back to the third tier.

It is the top flight, however, where Lawrence looks set to remain.