Change is on the horizon at Manchester United as Erik ten Hag prepares to step into the dugout, while attentions have already switched to the players that might - or might not - join the Dutchman as he strives to restore former glories at Old Trafford and beyond.
Ralf Rangnick suggested United might need open-heart surgery when it comes to their squad moving forward. An extreme take from the man who will hold the post until the end of this season, but supporters would tend to agree at the very least that cosmetic alterations are needed to finally bring the good times back.
Upgrades are required in several positions, except for between the posts where David de Gea has been imperious as he closes in on a fifth Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award. The elephant in the room for summer recruitment, meanwhile, could be billed as an elephant in the engine room.
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Declan Rice was viewed as target number one in that regard amid founded and genuine concerns West Ham might dig their heels in over a valuation for the England midfielder. In any case, there are further complications on account of fading top-four aspirations and simultaneous interest from Chelsea.
Put simply, Rice is worthy of a Champions League place and United - in their current guise - are not.
Step forward his partner in crime at international level, Kalvin Phillips, who has tempted United into drawing up the framework for a potential summer deal from bitter rivals Leeds. Of course, there are notable issues there due to that intense rivalry which exists across the M62.
Even so, at this stage he represents a more legitimate and attainable option for United and players such as Eric Cantona and Rio Ferdinand have, in the past, created a controversial pathway for that particular move. Yorkshire native Alan Smith followed too - seemingly powerless to resist the bright lights of Old Trafford.
Other names have and will continue to be thrown into the mix. Regardless of who does pitch up alongside Ten Hag, though, those would-be signings will have the same knock-on impact.
Departures for Nemanja Matic and Paul Pogba have exacerbated the need to strengthen in a position United were already hell-bent on strengthening. A specialist holding midfielder is the priority and, even when Donny van de Beek returns for his second chance under his mentor and former Ajax manager, there is certain to be another recruit.
Whatever your stance on McFred - the nickname given to midfield partners Scott McTominay and Fred - for all the perceived limitations they have they remain two of the most committed and full-blooded players in what is a rather underwhelming United squad to say the least.
Regardless of what happens there is a place for them both when Ten Hag steps into the breach. Fred has been one of the stand-out performers under Rangnick and, while neither will be the first name on the teamsheet next season, it would be reasonable to suggest at least one of them will be inked in on any given matchday.
But could Phillips or other such signings prompt a positional rethink for Academy graduate McTominay?
His best role in this United side is up for debate. Often deployed as the chief sitter, that is the area of most concern and, you would think, there is only one further place up for grabs alongside Bruno Fernandes, providing he rekindles his mesmerising best, of course.
As has been regularly underlined on the international stage, there is also scope to play McTominay at centre-back. While the side might, perhaps, miss his energy and drive from midfield, his combative nature, physicality and above all stamina could be the perfect blend for Raphael Varane at the heart of the United defence.
Even in a Scotland side which, with all due respect, does not possess the quality United have, he has been sacrificed 12 times in his 29 caps to play in that position. Given the problems in central midfield, that option has not gained any traction at Old Trafford this season. Understandably so.
However, should they complete their main market objective and not follow that up by addressing a similar quest to sign a new defender, that is one alternative for Ten Hag to consider. It might just be the (re-) making of McTominay.
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