No matter what happens in the World Cup final this weekend, one Manchester United player will return to Carrington with a winner's medal to show off.
Whoever wins on Sunday, whether it is Lisandro Martinez or Raphael Varane, will have bragging rights inside the United dressing room, though they are not the only ones who should return to United buoyed by their international performances.
In fact, the player who was arguably United's star performer in Qatar will be back in Manchester by the time the final is played, and a day after watching a teammate lift the famous trophy, he'll be back in training too.
Read next: Avram Glazer confirms United proceeding with takeover talks
The success of a team often dictates the level of acclaim a player receives at a major tournament, but despite Portugal's disappointing quarter-final exit, Bruno Fernandes still left the competition as a winner.
Fernandes finished the competition with two goals and three assists to his name for Portugal, proving to be their talisman in a competition where star man Cristiano Ronaldo took a backseat.
Just as impressive as his numbers was his overall contribution to matches, with the 28-year-old leading the way for his country as a leader both through his actions on the pitch and the way in which he galvanised his teammates.
It was a timely reminder of just how good Fernandes can be, particularly when he is the centre of attention, something he's had to cope with losing in recent years.
The midfield magnifico burst onto the scene as part of a United side that was lacking creativity, self-belief, and star quality, and soon became the poster boy for a new-look team that had rediscovered its swagger.
Fernandes was the star man for large parts in the absence of the frequently injured Paul Pogba and commanded the limelight from the other most notable players in the squad.
It was always inevitable that his level of output would drop off from the elite standards he set in his first 18 months at the club, but it is also interesting to note that when other star players were available, he often failed to shine as brightly.
Fernandes is harshly compared to those freakish first months at the club, and even last season, he still managed 10 goals and 14 assists across a campaign in which he was believed to have been off the boil.
This season, he has certainly been less influential. He has just three goals and three assists from 20 club appearances so far, one more goal contribution than he managed across just five World Cup matches.
Yet there is reason to believe that Fernandes could return to Old Trafford next week like the player he once was and quickly become the talisman of the team again.
Since his last club appearance, the Portuguese playmaker has been re-energised not only by his international form but also by the departure of compatriot Ronaldo, who has left a void in the dressing room for others to fill.
That is something that he has already started to do this season. Fernandes has always been a vocal presence in the United squad and has relished the role of being the stand-in captain this season.
By next summer, he might well assume the role full-time, but in order for that to happen, he needs to become an undroppable presence in the United midfield again. If he carries on his World Cup form, that will most certainly happen.
When he returns, he will be the man they rely on to win matches on his own and the player who gets first refusal on any set-piece, such is his proven track record and star quality.
Fernandes has already helped one team move on from Ronaldo this month; now he has the chance to do it again.
Related stories:
