The sight of Bruno Fernandes and Cristiano Ronaldo sprinting off to celebrate with their arms wrapped around each other was one Manchester United fans expected to see a lot of this season.
But when the United teammates raced towards the corner flag of the Estadio do Dragao on Tuesday night after combing to set Portugal on their way to the World Cup, it felt oddly unfamiliar. Fernandes has created three of Ronaldo's 18 goals for United this season, although the last time it happened was on November 2 when United drew against Atalanta in the Champions League.
None of Fernandes' nine goals for United have been assisted by Ronaldo, so seeing the 37-year-old tee up his international teammate in Porto was an unusual sight. They combined well for much of the evening, however, and in an attacking 4-3-3 system that gives hope that United could yet reprise a similar approach to get the most of a partnership that should, in theory, flourish at club level as well.
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How long Ronaldo remains at United is something of an unknown at the moment, but it's still hard to envisage him not being there next season. And if he can start to find the same tune with the club's most creative player at Old Trafford, it will only be good news.
Fernandes has tended to operate more as a second striker for United but for Portugal his position hasn't been as well defined and he's actually struggled to force his way regularly into the side. He was dropped during the European Championship last summer and hasn't always looked a natural fit in that team.
But he started both Portugal's crucial World Cup play-off fixtures in this international break and the only qualifier he didn't start since the Euros was the one they lost — a defeat at home to Serbia, which forced them to qualify via the play-offs.
On Tuesday night, he lined up to the right in a midfield three, with Joao Moutinho and Bernardo Silva alongside him, while Ronaldo led the line with Diogo Jota and Porto forward Otávio on the wings.
It's a system that is clearly working for Portugal and one United have attempted to transition to this season, with Fernandes having some joy in a left of central midfield position in January.
Fernandes certainly had the licence to get forward against the defensive North Macedonia side and the first goal came from his right side position, intercepting a cross-field pass and finding Ronaldo, who returned the favour for Fernandes to fire home from the edge of the area.
His second goal killed the game off and it again came from Fernandes' desire to get into the box. As Portugal attacked down the left he made a move from his right of centre position and became the most advanced player in the hosts' team, ahead of Ronaldo.
Jota's cross was perfect but the finish on the half-volley was exceptional and a reminder of the eye for goal that Fernandes has.
This was evidence that the 27-year-old does have the quality to thrive in a 4-3-3 and the energy to still get forward as a goal threat.
The attempts to move United to a similar system this season have failed, largely thanks to the absence of a world-class defensive midfielder. But if that can be solved in the summer then Portugal have given us a glimpse of how Fernandes and Ronaldo could link up.
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