Bruno Fernandes will lead Manchester United against Tottenham in Wednesday's Europa League final in Bilbao, with both clubs aware of how differently things might have turned out.
Six months before the Portuguese midfielder's £47m move to Old Trafford in January 2020, Fernandes was on the verge of signing for Spurs under Mauricio Pochettino in a deal that was all but complete.
The Portuguese midfielder's potential move to Tottenham had progressed through five meetings with his entourage, who were impressed by the north London club's structure.
"They were absolutely next level when it comes to detail," a source told BBC Sport. "Even the rooms at the training ground - each one was decorated just like the players' bedrooms at home, the ones they share with their partners."
Bruno Fernandes is now a Manchester United staple
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The source continued: "There were two weeks left in the window, but Sporting were going to accept it." However, Sporting's board changed their mind, holding out for double the offer which never materialised.
Fernandes was so convinced he'd join Spurs that when Sporting's president explained the situation, he told him to leave. After a difficult period mentally, he eventually signed for United six months later.
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Having trained with the team just once, Fernandes was thrown straight into United's starting XI for a goalless draw with Wolves in February 2020.
He struggled with the intensity, noticing former Portuguese league colleagues "outrunning" him. When the fourth official signalled a substitution in the 88th minute, Fernandes was relieved, suffering from cramps and momentarily forgetting he no longer wore his old Sporting number.
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Bruno Fernandes aims to beat the club that nearly signed him
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Much has changed since that debut for the man who recently said: "He can rest when he dies."
Fernandes now wears the captain's armband and is widely regarded as Manchester United's most successful signing of the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era.
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He has reclaimed the number eight shirt – a tribute to his father and hero, Jose Fernandes, who wore it during his playing days.
With 38 goal involvements this season – 19 goals and 19 assists in 54 matches – Fernandes has become the heart and lungs of Ruben Amorim's side.
On Wednesday night, the 30-year-old will be hoping to win his first major international trophy with the team and help salvage a highly frustrating domestic campaign.
The match is worth £100 million for the winning team
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His success comes as no surprise to those who knew him growing up in humble circumstances near Porto, where he chased buses because neither parent had a driving licence.
"He was a little genius from a humble family," Abilio Novais, one of his earliest mentors at Boavista, told BBC Sport. "You could see he wanted to make it so bad. He hated losing - really hated it."
Instead of his original North London dream, Fernandes will aim to take them down and claim a trophy worth £100 million for his Manchester team, with the prize of Champions League football looming large.
