There might not be much for Manchester United to boast about this season, but there is one crumb of comfort to console themselves with as they head into another pivotal summer which will shape the future of their club.
A year ago, it was a similar feeling as United headed into the summer window looking to build upon their momentum and turn their jog into a sprint ahead of an expected title challenge. Instead, they fell flat on their faces, having forgotten to tie their shoelaces, failing to capitalise on the renewed positivity that came with a stellar summer of transfer business.
While there is still a need for further investment this time around, United do deserve genuine credit for their recruitment last year, as they added three top-class talents to their squad, as well as veteran keeper Tom Heaton.
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Jadon Sancho has already shown signs he can become a world-class winger for the best part of the next decade. Cristiano Ronaldo has provided big moments on a regular basis, but perhaps the most impressive acquisition has been that of Raphael Varane.
The 28-year-old has been United's best centre-back this season and has brought much-needed experience to a backline that is well known for its frailties, becoming one of the most important players in the first-team squad. Of United's 11 defeats this season, only four have come when Varane started the match — and only two of those came when he started alongside club captain Harry Maguire.
Both defeats to Man City, the humiliating losses at Leicester and Watford, and the home drubbing by Liverpool all occurred when Varane was out of the squad through illness or injury. That in itself highlights both the positive and the negative aspects of the French star this season. He is in another class from the defenders already at United — but his attendance record has been bleak.
The 28-year-old has only made 17 appearances in the Premier League this season and has missed 14 games because of four different setbacks since joining the club. It means he has only started 52 per cent of league matches this season and has only played in 53 per cent of the total minutes played by the club.
These stats are, of course, affected slightly by the fact that he wasn't eligible for the first match of the season against Leeds, but it is quite clearly a problem when your most important defender is only available just over half the time.
Just last week, Varane suffered a 'small problem' in his foot while away on international duty, forcing him to be withdrawn before the hour-mark in Les Bleu's 2-1 friendly win over Ivory Coast on Friday. Reports over the weekend stated the United defender underwent 'specific training' to deal with the problem as he battles to be fit for the match against Leicester on Saturday.
That clash with the Foxes will be crucial in United's bid to salvage a top-four finish this season, with matches against Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea all still to come too. If they are to somehow secure Champions League football, then keeping Varane fit will be crucial.
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Even beyond this season, carefully managing the fitness of the World Cup winner will be imperative for the next manager, though there doesn't seem to be any immediate solution to his injury woes.
Varane will be desperate to prove it has merely been a freak run of misfortune rather than a true reflection of his dwindling powers. But such a vulnerability to injury would certainly explain why Real Madrid seemed so happy to cash-in on him last year when it appeared he had so much more to give.
There can be no denying United are a much better side with Varane in it, but there is no guarantee that he always will be.
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