Change is coming at Old Trafford and it might arrive sooner than anticipated.
January remains a notoriously difficult month to strike up business and Manchester United were always more likely to offload than sanction any further high-profile recruits this month - no matter how much they might need Declan Rice or another top-level defensive midfielder in his mould.
Yet as we enter the final days of the mid-season window, there appears to be a mini exodus developing.
Interim manager Ralf Rangnick has restored hope that United, who issued a triple statement of intent this summer when signing Jadon Sancho, Raphael Varane and Cristiano Ronaldo, will claim a place in the Champions League for next season.
That represents a best-case scenario after their title dreams were left in tatters before the November break.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer lost his job as a result and, while the Norwegian 'promised' opportunities to Jesse Lingard and Donny van de Beek this campaign, neither he nor Michael Carrick and Rangnick delivered on that front as those two prepare to follow Sevilla-bound Anthony Martial out the door.
When it comes to van de Beek, the decision is a relatively straight-forward one.
He has been incredibly short-changed during his 18 months at Old Trafford and if there is any chance that he might have a future at United longer-term, the Dutchman needs to prove that on-field between now and the summer.
Crystal Palace are, seemingly, the latest to offer their services in that regard.
However, there will be no shortage of takers for a loan deal between now and Monday night's 11pm deadline.
That too is a proposition facing Lingard after more than 20 years at United man and boy.
Playing only 88 and 68 minutes respectively in the Premier League this season draws up a first-glance comparative between Lingard and van de Beek - and they might have become rather acquainted to one another given the time they have spent on subs benches at Old Trafford and beyond.
Yet the impending call on Lingard is one which, could, also have a hugely significant knock-on impact.
United have one last chance to cash-in on a player that developed, nurtured and unleashed. Deemed good enough to win 32 caps for his country, it defies belief that Lingard - even with such star-studded competition - has not been handed further chances to shine.
After all this is a man who conjured up Cristiano Ronaldo-like figures on loan at West Ham last campaign.
Fast forward 12 months and the Hammers have expressed their interest in re-signing Lingard. It was no secret.
Manchester Evening News understands that a loan move is much more realistic in that regard, while Saudi-backed Newcastle want the England forward, too. United have options, but only one choice would help them protect their own interests.
Loyalty is seldom appreciated in football and Lingard deserves much, much better treatment.
Ultimately, though, key figures in the Old Trafford boardroom have to tread incredibly carefully here. Despite losing at that venue on Saturday afternoon, West Ham still pose a genuine threat to their top-four aspirations - especially after watching Arsenal and Tottenham later drop points.
Would you keep or sell Lingard? Have your say in the comments section below.
Lingard has already given 14 reasons why they should block any immediate advances from east London.
In turn, that would mean United get nothing for a player who has given them so much - and he deserves more as has been mentioned - but Lingard out-of-camp represents, quite possibly, the biggest danger to United right now as they set about their revised target.
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