In March 2021, the Ecuador international was bustling around a sunny Leigh Sports Village with the turnstiles locked during the Covid19 pandemic.
It was, like most pandemic-era contests, soulless and ended goalless.
The only thing worth writing home about was Caicedo in what was only his second start for the Brighton Under-23s. He bossed the midfield two months after he was poised to move to Manchester.
That day at Leigh, Caicedo already had a physical presence unmatched by his peers. United's reticence (they were reduced to 10 men after Will Fish was dismissed) allowed Caicedo to showcase his passing range. He drew a save from Matej Kovar and was cynically fouled by Charlie McCann.
Caicedo had to wait 15 months for his first Premier League start and when he was parachuted into the line-up at Arsenal in April 2022 Brighton won 2-1, with Caicedo's crafty reverse pass slammed in by Enock Mwepu.
In Caicedo's first six league starts, Brighton defeated Arsenal, Tottenham and United.
United's discussions about Caicedo, 19 at the time, in the January 2021 transfer window compromised were by involvement of by the various intermediaries. A source told the Manchester Evening News the deal became 'too messy' for United to proceed.
Denne historien er fra June 28, 2023-utgaven av Manchester Evening News.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra June 28, 2023-utgaven av Manchester Evening News.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
JOS LEARNS TO LIGHTEN LOAD
JOS Buttler admitted lightening his workload by giving up the wicketkeeping role has helped him to appreciate England's T20 series victory over the West Indies even more.
ON CLAUD NINE City's teen star on his humble journey to global headlines
CLAUDIO Echeverri is used to life in the limelight.
Starmer in call for 'respectful' ties with China
SIR Keir Starmer has said he told Xi Jinping he wanted \"respectful\" relations with Beijing as he became the first prime minister to meet the Chinese president since 2018.
Farmers to protest over inheritance tax
LARGE demonstrations by farmers were expected in London today as they fight to reverse \"absolutely unacceptable\" changes to inheritance tax.
Man jailed for arson threat on mosques
A FATHER-OF-FOUR who made a TikTok video threatening to burn down every mosque in Newcastle has been jailed for 20 months.
STABBING VICTIM IS FOUND 'COVERED IN BLOOD'
A MAN was seen 'bleeding on the floor' after he was stabbed in a horror attack on a street.
Mexican drinks and pool right on cue at new bar
A RESTAURANT recently nominated as one of the city's best has unveiled a first look at its new sister bar set to open next month - which will focus on tequila and pool.
Can Eibn project solve homes crisis?
PLANS TO BUILD 3,300 'HIGH QUALITY' HOMES AND A 'VIBRANT NEW NEIGHBOURHOOD' HAS BEEN GREETED WITH CYNICISM
Crumbling hospital unit gets mayor redevelopment
A HOSPITAL building where crumbling concrete was discovered is set to undergo a major redevelopment.
More comedy dates from special Kay
COMEDY fans are in for a treat after Peter Kay announced a new run of tour dates in a surprise announcement on Sunday night.
