Ed Woodward boldly boasted to club investors when Manchester United sold Daniel James to Leeds United in the summer transfer window for £25million, after all it was the fourth-record sale in club history.
His replacement Richard Arnold is unlikely to do similar even if United manage to sell Jesse Lingard for a sizeable fee before the end of the January transfer window.
Newcastle are stepping up their pursuit of the United playmaker this month with a permanent bid on the table. It seems like the best outcome for all parties, given Lingard could have signed a pre-contract with an overseas club this month, or even leave for free at the end of the season.
It's a situation that could easily have been avoided had United ruthlessly decided to sell such a peripheral figure last summer. Instead, like a crying toddler who only wants to play with a toy when another child shows an interest in it, they refused to entertain any offers from West Ham, just in case they needed to utilise him themselves.
Lingard has had a major impact at United this season despite being deprived of playing time, but with only 273 minutes of action across 14 appearances so far this campaign, it is clear he needs to leave in order to keep his dreams of a World Cup call-up later this year alive.
Ironically, then, his final appearance for United could come this weekend against the side he joined on loan a year ago, as West Ham travel to Old Trafford hoping to reignite their fading top-four dreams.
It is that faint glimmer of a top-four challenge that has seen United refuse to consider West Ham or Tottenham for loan offers this month, with the club desperate not to strengthen any of their current challengers for the lucrative Champions League pot of gold.
Instead, a move to Newcastle looks to be the best pathway to an amicable divorce, with Lingard set to leave the club with a rejuvenated reputation and sympathy from a fanbase who appreciate he is being underused this season.
Supporters will also likely favour a move because it removes a couple of hurdles with regards to potentially signing a player before deadline day in just over a week.
The potential sale of Lingard would not only leave United with one fewer first-team option available to them, but it would also give them a timely cash injection, surely two reasons in favour of a late pursuit in the transfer window.
As things stand, United still look unlikely to sign any new players this month, particularly given Paul Pogba's imminent return from injury next month, but if the right player comes up at the right price, then a late move could still happen.
Lingard's increasingly likely departure is by no means a signal that United will themselves make a move before the end of the month, but it certainly gives them two more reasons to.
