The season still has a ways to go but battle plans will already be being drawn up ahead of the summer transfer window.
Manchester United have progressed much more than anyone could have reasonably expected under Erik ten Hag. Less than a year ago they were drearily trudging towards their worst-ever Premier League finish and the optimism around Old Trafford was at an all-time low.
But now the trophy drought has already ended, two more could still be won, providing there is no collapse of epic proportion they should still finish in the top four, several players have regained their confidence and positivity is back on the pitch and in the stands. All that in less than 12 months is remarkable.
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But there's plenty more hard work to do. United are 19 points off leaders Arsenal and that is a lot of ground to make up to launch a genuine title challenge. The Champions League will be a much tougher competition, even if United's Europa League run has been far from easy.
To raise their game and advance the rebuild further, more shrewd and expensive signings will be needed. Ten Hag has proven a successful operator in the market with Casemiro, Lisandro Martinez and Christian Eriksen being the driving force to the club's turnaround while Antony and Tyrell Malacia have provided crucial contributions.
January's two loan arrivals, Wout Weghorst and Marcel Sabitzer, have also provided a boost and bolstered the manager's ranks when the squad had taken hits.
It magnifies how poorly United have recruited over the last decade that they have spent such an obscene amount of money but yet the squad Ten Hag is working with is still light on options and when key players get injured the drop off is stark.
The Dutchman has been particularly hamstrung in the striker department. Anthony Martial has spent most of the campaign sidelined, Cristiano Ronaldo was never suited and stormed off in December and Weghorst, despite all his good work, struggles to find the back of the net.
It's no surprise an elite, clinical striker is the top priority and Harry Kane would be the perfect signing. Ten Hag also wants to improve his midfield options given his quality pairing of Casemiro and Eriksen are both north of 30.
United would like Jude Bellingham (who wouldn't?) but getting him will be extremely difficult. Ten Hag also loves Frenkie de Jong but the midfielder has repeatedly stated he wants to remain at Barcelona.
Mason Mount's Chelsea future is uncertain and he is the type of technically efficient and tactically savvy player that would fit in nicely but otherwise, no other quality midfield alternatives have come to light.
With focus and budget being on a striker, it's possible United will miss out on the top-level midfielder they want. But Sabitzer is helping that become less of a problem.
The Austrian was a last-minute arrival in January to offset the long-term injury suffered by Eriksen and he has seamlessly slotted into the side. A leader following his spell as captain of RB Leipzig and full of big-game experience after playing at Bayern Munich, he has helped United not miss such a key player nearly as much as was initially feared.
His versatility, able to play a holding role or make pivotal contributions further up the pitch, has also been a massive help for Ten Hag. Sabitzer has been decisive in two vital moments in the last two outings at Old Trafford, too. He put United ahead against Fulham with a classy finish and against Brentford on Wednesday it was his smart nod down that teed Rashford up for a crucial winner.
His impressive performances have not only helped United on the pitch but their transfer planning as well. The 29-year-old has done more than enough to earn a permanent switch and the first thing United should do is strike a deal with Bayern Munich. Given he is clearly not needed at the Allianz, a bargain price should be in the offing.
United should move for Sabitzer regardless of whether they bring another top-class midfielder in or not. If they manage to, they will have a quality and versatile option who has proved he can step in and not let the side's level drop when injuries and suspensions inevitably occur.
Additionally, his early arrival would lessen the stress on United needing to get their other new midfielder in. They will have more time and money to focus on getting the striker that is essential and the squad won't be left in a disastrous state if they do fail to get one.
United have a lot of planning to do before the window finally opens but Sabitzer has already made it a little easier.
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