On Tuesday night Manchester United face Club Brugge at Old Trafford in their most important Champions League tie since they reached the final against Barcelona at Wembley four years ago.
Overcome the Belgian side over two legs and United will be ushered back amongst the elite of European football, but lose and they will be forced to watch from the sidelines for a second season.
And yet David De Gea, the man most responsible for United being on the brink of a return to the Champions League group stages and the winner of the club's Player of the Year award for the last two seasons, will be sitting helpless in the stands dressed in a club suit.