It's probably not been the start Erik ten Hag hoped for.
The rebuild that was needed at Manchester United under the new manager following the club's worst-ever Premier League campaign is yet to come to pass. Business has been painfully slow in the transfer market, with only left-back Tyrell Malacia recruited so far.
To make things even worse, the club's only natural striker and highest scorer by far last season, Cristiano Ronaldo, now wants to leave. United maintain he is not for sale but that sort of disruption just before the side embarked on their pre-season tour was far from ideal, especially when Ronaldo hasn't travelled to Thailand due to a family issue.
READ MORE: Ten Hag breaks silence on Ronaldo future
Now, as Ten Hag prepares to take charge of a United match for the first time on Tuesday evening, he may well be concerned by how quickly things aren't going to plan. It is only a friendly, of course, but that first match being against great rivals Liverpool, who have already concluded their business and look to get even better this coming year, doesn't help matters either.
Ten Hag goes into his first game in charge without a natural striker at his disposal, highlighting the need for recruitment in the area regardless of if Ronaldo departs or not. But for now, the Dutchman will have to make do with what he's got.
In all likelihood, that will see Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial thrown an undeserved lifeline to show they are capable of leading the line. Neither has been able to successfully play as the central striker on a consistent basis, usually fairing better coming in off the left flank, and they are both coming off the back of dreadful seasons.
Rashford registered his lowest-ever goal tally since making his senior debut and looked like a shadow of his former self, with his confidence in tatters. Martial was even worse. He only managed two goals all season and flopped spectacularly on his loan spell at Sevilla.
Yet, both have proven in the past to be more than capable in front of goal and certainly have the skill to be great players again if they can just find their form. They may just get the chance to prove it this summer.
But if their rotten runs continue then Ten Hag may have to be inventive to solve his striker problem. One wildcard choice he could experiment with is Bruno Fernandes.
Though he also endured a tough season last term, the Portuguese still managed to provide 23 goal contributions and there is plenty of evidence to show how deadly he is in front of goal. He has certainly provided more big goals in crucial moments than either of the other two options since he arrived.
Obviously, Fernandes wouldn't be able to play as a typical striker but a false-nine role could suit him pretty well. It would get him further up the field where he can have even more influence on attacks but he would still be able to drop a little deeper on occasions to his familiar attacking-midfield position, allowing for the wingers to then come inside.
Another benefit for Ten Hag in moving Fernandes into an attacking role is that it gets him out of his midfield. The new No.8 is a risk-taker, which is what has led to so many moments of magic, but such risks - ambitious passes, shots from distance - are in direct opposition to the patient, possession-based football Ten Hag will want to play.
The new manager will want to keep the ball as much as possible, especially in the middle of the park, but that just isn't in Fernandes' nature. When he gets the ball he is looking forward for the quickest way to score, which will often lead to losing the ball. Not every risk can pay off.
But if Fernandes is moved further forward and replaced by a more savvy, composed passer with a focus on retaining possession, United will keep the ball more without losing the creative spark that he brings. Additionally, when those risks backfire the ball isn't being lost in a dangerous position.
Ten Hag has been dealt a bad hand at the start of his reign but with limitations come innovations. Fernandes in a more advanced role might just be the one he needs.
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