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When Diego Forlan signed for Manchester United in January 2002, it turned out to be a life-changing step for the then 22-year-old.

The £6.9 million transfer that took him from Argentine club Independiente to Old Trafford began a European career in which he went on to play for the Red Devils, Villarreal, Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan.

At international level, he established himself as a vital part of Uruguay’s dangerous forward line alongside Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani, a path that might not have unfolded in quite the same way had he not scored in a defeat for Independiente.

When Independiente faced Boca Juniors at La Bombonera in December 2001, the visitors were very much in a supporting role on a day when Boca were bidding farewell to a managerial legend. But for Forlan, it became the match that altered his life.

“This was the day Manchester United really put me firmly on their radar,” Forlan told FourFourTwo. “A club scout, together with Martin Ferguson, travelled to Buenos Aires to watch me play at La Bombonera.

“The stadium was full because it was Carlos Bianchi’s farewell as head coach,” he continued.

“I remember the supporters chanting for him to stay, because his legacy at Boca Juniors had been extraordinary, topped by that win a year earlier against Real Madrid [in the Intercontinental Cup].”

With La Bombonera at fever pitch, the game matched the occasion, with attacking football taking centre stage and plenty of goals.

“It was an open match, with chances at both ends, and Boca Juniors eventually won 5–3,” Forlan added, before reflecting on his own moment in the game.

“However, I scored a good goal with a powerful left-footed finish that confirmed the expectations of those who had come to watch me.”

Although Independiente finished on the losing side as Boca thrilled their fans with a 5-3 victory, Forlan would soon discover just how significant his goal had been.

“I didn’t know it until a little later, but that match was one of the games that gave me the opportunity to make the jump from Argentina to the Premier League,” he added.

A month later, Forlan was on a flight to England and, after a brief detour to Middlesbrough, he signed for Manchester United, where he made 98 appearances and scored 17 goals across the next three seasons.