Six months after a series of desperately disappointing displays saw him sent into exile at Leicester, the midfielder's performance during last night's victory over valiant Port Vale earned a richly deserved standing ovation from the home crowd.
Even more telling, however, was the reaction of Kevin Blackwell.
The United manager has made no attempt to disguise his frustration at Hendrie's attitude and application since his February appointment.
But the hug they shared when the 31-year-old made way for debutant Kyle Naughton five minutes from time spoke volumes and afterwards a previously sceptical Blackwell officially welcomed Hendrie back into the fold.
"I'm delighted for Lee," Blackwell said.
"And I'm also pleased because, as far as I'm concerned, I've now got another player back.
"It wasn't so long ago that the supporters turned on Lee but you saw what they thought of his contribution out there.
"Maybe Lee has had to wake-up to the fact that he's got a God given talent and that he shouldn't abuse it.
"We all know that he can be tremendous on the ball but he also knows what I expect from him in other areas too.
"But he can be very proud of himself after that and I'm very proud of him too."
Hendrie's superb strike set United on their way and although Luke Rodgers equalised for Vale, further efforts from Stephen Quinn and Danny Webber delivered Blackwell's first win of the new season.
United's reward is a potentially tricky tie against Huddersfield Town and Blackwell added: "That will be a big one.
"It's going to be a tough Yorkshire derby.
" But the game tonight went exactly as I expected it to.
"Port Vale were very competitive and made us work hard.
"Our decision making could have been better at times and on the occasions when we did get it right we scored.
"If we had've been a bit sharper then we could've scored a few more.
"But credit to them (Vale) because they showed what they're all about."
Blackwell's selection reflected his commitment to a competition which, despite offering the winners a route into Europe, has become the sick man of English football in recent seasons.
Having seen seven Championship clubs fall at the first hurdle 24 hours earlier the United manager named an experienced team, including two former England internationals, against League opposition.
And it was one of those, Hendrie, who ensured the finest passage of play during an otherwise laboured first-half spawned a goal.
With a CV boasting over 250 appearances for Aston Villa, his failure to produce anything like his best form since moving to South Yorkshire has been a mystery.
Warned that another chequered performance could see him ushered through the exit door, Hendrie responded with a drive and determination which only served to make his position on the periphery of Blackwell's squad even more baffling.
Quinn and Darius Henderson, two of just three survivors from the starting eleven beaten at Birmingham on Saturday, had already spurned two opportunities apiece when Hendrie's beautiful finish broke the deadlock in the 41st minute.
David Cotterill's pace allowed him to exploit the gaps in Port Vale's defence following a corner and when Matthew Spring, who had earlier tested Joe Anyon with a header, diverted the ball into Hendrie's path he showed impressive technique and poise to caress it beyond the visiting goalkeeper.
But if United thought Vale were beaten they were sorely mistaken and, eight minutes after the interval, substitute Luke Rodgers punished their generosity by equalising from close range when the otherwise solid Ugo Ehiogu failed to deal with Louis Dodds' cross.
However, as Lee Sinnott's side sensed an upset, Quinn restored United's advantage with the evening's second superb finish before Webber's late penalty.
Afterwards Blackwell said: "The game tonight went exactly as I expected it to. Port Vale were very competitive and made us work hard.
"Our decision making could have been better at times and on the occasions when we did get it right we scored."
His Port Vale counterpart Lee Sinnott said: "United edged it and they deserved to win.
"We found ourselves chasing the game and trying to get bodies forward so inevitably we were susceptible on the break."
CLICK ON THE GREEN PLAY ICON ABOVE TO SEE MATCH PICTURESWhat do you think? Post your comments below. READ MOREClick here for full Carling Cup draw Football headlinesMore BladesMore OwlsMore SpireitesMore RoversMore RedsMore MillersMore Ice HockeyMore rugby leagueMore rugby unionMore boxingSports columnistsAll sport categoriesThe Blades star who's set to shine: Read it in the Green 'Un - out SaturdayThe full article contains 815 words and appears in Sheffield Star newspaper.
