Cristiano Ronaldo brought Old Trafford to a standstill when sealing his jaw-dropping return to Manchester United from Juventus last summer. However, while there might be no fairytale ending to his second coming, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner will leave supporters with more than a trip down memory lane.
No matter what Ronaldo has or hasn't achieved since heading back to the place where it all began on a global scale, the legacy he built during six sensational years between 2003 and 2009 was never going to be dented. Even one or two whispers over his summer conduct will not threaten that.
Speculation over the Portugal captain remains at fever pitch, though, while January could see him depart for a second time. It would draw the line under one history-making chapter and, in one sense, open the page for another in which the former Juventus and Real Madrid superstar will have also played his part.
After watching Ronaldo develop from a fleet-footed trickster to goal machine during his first stint, supporters and headline writers were naturally star-struck when their dreams turned to reality last summer. Ronaldo was back, and a menacing yet enticing gauntlet laid down for what he might brand as the next generation.
In an otherwise dismal season for the club, Ronaldo flew the flag single-handedly, at times, to underline he was no spent force. Despite being away for a decade, the Portuguese was the biggest threat United had - so much and yet so little had changed since he swapped Manchester for Madrid.
Goals flowed as expected, but standards had slipped at Old Trafford post-Sir Alex Ferguson and Ronaldo could not bite his lip and accept the new normal. All the while, cross-city neighbours Manchester City were taking their steps towards another Premier League crown.
He said: "We can do it better and that is all of us. If we can change our mind, we can achieve big things. In my opinion, the main point is that it should come from inside in you. You should be proud of yourself and look in the mirror and be able to say; 'Listen, I give everything'.
"We are here to help and if they [younger players] need my help and my support and my advice, I will be there to help. But if you don't want my help, do your job, look for yourself and do your best to help the team."
Strong comments indeed from Ronaldo as he sat down for an eye-opening interview with Sky Sports, especially after so much had been made about his role in the United dressing room. Was he the 'problem' some claimed, or could the squad simply not deal with his desire to drive standards?
The truth, as it so often does, probably lies in the middle and, nine months on from that January outburst, Ronaldo has seemingly got one thing he wanted. With no Champions League place and limited early-summer recruits made, Ronaldo expressed a desire to leave the club before this campaign.
A new challenge might present itself this January and Ronaldo and the club may part ways amicably. But, aside from one or two early-season reverses, United and their younger players seem have taken responsibility and noted down what Ronaldo expected from them.
Certainly pre-derby, Scott McTominay and Marcus Rashford have stood-out and the latter came off the substitutes bench to spare blushes in Cyprus on Thursday night. Summer signings Lisandro Martinez, Antony and Tyrell Malacia have also added to an improved mentality and the change Ronaldo wanted appears well-set in its foundation.
He might not get to directly benefit from it with another medal to add to his glittering United collection from 2003 to 2009, but Ronaldo's main message has, ultimately, been heard loud and clear.