Sporting Lisbon manager Silas' short-term 'disaster' was avoided after all as Bruno Fernandes took to the field against rivals Benfica on Friday evening.
However, the gaping hole the 25-year-old will leave in their midfield looks to be an unwanted long-term issue, with the Portugal star said to be close to sealing a £60million move to Manchester United.
But if his performance at the Jose Alvalade Stadium was anything to go by, Sporting's loss will undoubtedly be Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and United's gain, not just in an attacking sense but also because of his tenacity in his own half.