Liam Delap and Alejandro Garnacho might wish they had done things differently last summer, with Manchester United having the last laugh. Delap was heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford at the end of last season and even held face-to-face talks with club chiefs. However, he ended up joining Chelsea, with European football reportedly being a factor in his decision.
Garnacho, meanwhile, chose to leave United in search of a fresh start after falling out with Ruben Amorim. He was also snapped up by the Blues, who confirmed his £40million transfer on the final day of the summer window. There were high hopes for both players at Stamford Bridge but things haven't exactly worked out as planned.
Regular minutes have been hard to come by for Delap and Garnacho, who have spent most of the campaign kicking around on the substitutes' bench.
Chelsea's poor form also means they are unlikely to play in the Champions League next season unless Liam Rosenior can mount an unlikely revival over the next five games.
The west Londoners are currently seven points adrift of fifth-placed Liverpool, meaning they would need the Reds to suffer a monumental end-of-season collapse.
United, on the other hand, are 10 points ahead of Chelsea and look set to return to the Champions League after a year-long absence.
They had no European football at all this season but still managed to sign players like Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko in the summer.
All three players are now key members of the squad and their on-pitch contributions have returned United to the Premier League's upper reaches.
Unless the situation changes drastically, Delap and Garnacho will be watching the Red Devils in the Champions League from home next season.
United have yet to mathematically secure a top-five finish in the Premier League, but it would take a disastrous collapse for them to drop out with just five games left to play.
Their fortunes have completely transformed under Michael Carrick, who is making a convincing case to earn the manager's job permanently ahead of next season.
However, those in power at Old Trafford have yet to make a firm decision on whether to appoint Carrick or go for a more experienced candidate.