Erik ten Hag's reign as Manchester United boss got off to the worst possible start with defeat on the opening day of the new Premier League season at home to Brighton.
The 2-1 upset marked the first time the Seagulls have won at Old Trafford in more than 40 years and spelt further misery for a United manager tackling many different problems at once. In response to the dismal display, Ten Hag appears to view further Red Devils transfers as the way out of the current mess.
Upon his appointment, many expected the ex-Ajax boss to oversee a summer of spending at the helm but it hasn't exactly materialised that way. As things stand, United have made just three additions in the form of Dutch left-back Tyrell Malacia, Argentine international Lisandro Martinez and ex-Spurs star Christian Eriksen.
The long-running saga surrounding Frenkie de Jong continues to rumble on, with the Barcelona midfielder no closer to making the move to Manchester despite the two clubs agreeing on a transfer fee of £63million just under a month ago.
As a result, it looks as if Ten Hag has turned his attention to a new midfielder in divisive Juventus star Adrien Rabiot. The France international is no stranger to making headlines for his conduct both on and off the pitch, but United are reportedly willing to take a chance on the 26-year-old.
The Red Devils are rumoured to have agreed on a fee with the Turin-based titans and could announce the switch in the coming days, providing all personal terms are to both parties' liking. Rabiot would undoubtedly be a controversial signing, but could also transform the way United play.
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Slowly but surely, Ten Hag's ideal United line-up is starting to take shape. David de Gea will remain between the sticks while Diogo Dalot is likely to stay put at right-back. From there, things could start to change.
Club captain Harry Maguire could find his game-time reduced as he rotates minutes with Raphael Varane, with new signing Martinez likely to play as a left-sided central defender most weeks. Alongside him, fellow new recruit Tyrell Malacia looking to dislodge Luke Shaw as first-choice left-back.
The midfield region is undeniably United's current problem area, with both Scott McTominay and Fred coming in for serious criticism time and time again over multiple seasons. Rabiot's potential arrival would certainly raise the technical ceiling, with the former Paris Saint-Germain star once dubbed a "complete player" by ex-boss Andrea Pirlo.
One of McTominay or Fred would likely play next to him, with Bruno Fernandes operating as the central attacking midfielder in the three players in front of the midfield duo.
Fernandes would most likely be flanked on either side by £73m-man Jadon Sancho on the right and fellow England international Marcus Rashford on the left. The latter has plenty of history playing through the middle, but Ten Hag deployed Rashford on the left against Brighton and is unlikely to change this anytime soon.
The lone striker role is an interesting one, as it would usually be occupied by five-time Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo. However, the 37-year-old has expressed his desire to leave this summer, with the intention of joining a club more suited to his ambition.
With that in mind, it is likely to have come as quite a surprise to Ronaldo and his team of representatives that as of yet there are very few interested suitors.
Erring on the side of caution, United are on the prowl for a Ronaldo replacement just in case - though they have publicly stated he is not for sale and will be expected to see out the final year of his contract.
PSV Eindhoven's Cody Gakpo is the latest name emerging as a player who could revitalise United's forward line. The 23-year-old recently confessed he is ready for showdown talks with his current club to determine his immediate future.
"We must first focus on [the second leg against Monaco tonight] and try to make it to the Champions League," the Dutch winger told ESPN. "Then it is more likely that I will stay.
"I don't think I have said anywhere that I am leaving, so there is definitely a chance that I will stay. I'm open to a cup of coffee with the management - or coffee for them and water for me. We'll see how it goes."
Potential starting eleven under Ten Hag this season: (4-2-3-1): De Gea; Dalot, Maguire, Martinez, Malacia; Fred, Rabiot; Rashford, Fernandes, Sancho; Gakpo
