Time is running out for Bruno Fernandes to win some significant trophies.
A fact not lost on someone who will turn 31 in September. Someone who is still no closer to getting his hands on a Premier League title, or Champions League crown, than he was when he first joined Manchester United back in 2020.
That's what can happen to top level footballers like him at United. Careers can drift along, without players realising something has to change. And where Fernandes is concerned, that change could be a summer move to Real Madrid, who are reported to be weighing up a £90m bid for the Portuguese midfielder.
If it happens - and it's a big 'if', it could be a deal that suits all parties.
Fernandes would get a dream move to the biggest club in the world, and the chance to add more significance to his CV than just a single FA Cup and League Cup win.
Ruben Amorim
Ruben Amorim would hate to see his captain leave (Image: PA)
While United would rake in some much-needed funds to help the enormous rebuilding job facing manager Ruben Amorim.
It's doubtful Amorim will be packing Fernandes' bags for him and driving him to the airport, with the likes of Christian Eriksen and Casemiro expected to leave United this summer. Amorim needs all the talent he can get.
And losing Fernandes would be a huge blow, because the Portuguese has carried United through a dismal campaign, with some crucial goals and assists. He's been the one spark in a fire which has gone out.
Bruno Fernandes scores
Fernandes has dragged United through the season (Image: Getty Images)
Without him, United would find themselves in an even deeper hole than they already are. But money talks. Footballers are just commodities in a cut-throat business, while Real tend to get what they want in the end.
Amorim will fight to keep Fernandes, but Fernandes should be scrapping to leave. He has contributed a lot to United since arriving, helping them win two domestic cups and should feel like he owes them nothing.
He turned down an offer from elsewhere last summer. That's because he held talks with United bosses and got assurances the team would be competing for trophies. Yet barring the Europa League, this just hasn't happened.
Kylian Mbappe celebrates scoring his team's third goal and his hat trick with Ferland Mendy, Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo of Real Madrid
Fernandes could become the latest Galactico signing (Image: Getty Images)
Don't miss a thing with football updates!
Want to be on the ball with all of the latest football news? Well then sign up for the brilliant Daily Star Football email newsletter!
From the latest transfer news to breaking stories, get it all in your email inbox.
How do you sign up?
It only takes a matter of seconds.
Simply click on this link, then provide your email address and that's it, job done. You'll receive an email with all of the top football stories.
You can also sign up for our sport email, Off the Ball, for all the latest darts, boxing, snooker, F1 stories and more, right here
Instead, United have sacked one failing manager and replaced him with another one. The lure of going to Real is huge. All players at the elite level should spend some part of their careers with the Spanish giants.
United are big, but Real are on a different level when it comes to tradition, history and success. Fernandes should give serious thought to turning his back on United this summer - and shouldn't have to feel bad about it.