Part investment from Sir Jim Ratcliffe might not be considered a false dawn as such for Manchester United and their dedicated supporters.
However, after spending almost a year dreaming about a fully-fledged takeover and to wave goodbye to the Glazer family, there is work to do for the INEOS founder to win people over.
His impending purchase - thought to be worth £1.4billion or 25 per cent - means United no longer find themselves at a crossroads in the boardroom.
But there remains a tricky junction for him and the club to navigate. Following a whirlwind 24 hours or so, Sheikh Jassim is no longer in the running to become the new owner and the much-maligned Glazer family will, instead, strive to strike up business with Ratcliffe as a sole front-runner.