Victor Lindelof's absence during Manchester United's memorable Europa League quarter-final second-leg win over Lyon raised some eyebrows at first, but the concerning reason why has now been revealed.
The centre back was on the bench for the Old Trafford encounter but had to leave at half-time due to a family emegergency.
The Swede was back in action on Sunday, captaining the Red Devils' 1-0 Premier League home defeat by Wolves with his personal life no longer in a state of flux.
However, taking to social media his wife, Maja explained the reason for his sudden absence in the Lyon match after a distressing incident involving their youngest son.
'An hour before the [Lyon] game started, our babysitter called and said they were in an ambulance on the way to hospital,' she wrote.
'My youngest son Francis had split his entire head open. He had been chasing his big brother Ted Louie at home, and fallen into our glass staircase.
'His forehead was in two parts. He was in hospital both Thursday and Friday.
'He had to have plastic surgery to put his forehead back together. He was put under anaesthetic.
'It is the first time I have experienced something like this happening with one of my children.
'It was incredibly unpleasant, and not something I want to experience again.
'The operation went well, and Francis is back on track. He is a Viking, and back to normal.
'Everyone was so worried, but he continues his life as if nothing has happened.
'The doctors say he will have a big scar on his forehead. But never mind - I'm just happy that it went so well.'
The Lindelofs have been married since May 2018 and are expecting a third child together later this year.
Their future in Manchester beyond this season remains in doubt though with Lindelof's contract due to expire at the end of June.
The 30-year-old has amassed 277 appearances for the club since joining in the summer of 2017 from Benfica winning a League Cup and FA Cup in that time.