When Yves Bissouma steps out onto the Old Trafford pitch on Tuesday night, Manchester United supporters will finally get to see what a top holding midfielder looks like.
Defensively sound and confident in possession. The only problem is he'll be playing for Brighton.
After being begged by fans for months, the Red Devils are at last actively searching to sign a player of Bissouma's ilk to shore up their rudderless midfield department in the summer transfer window.
But what of United's current midfield options; where do they stand and what does the future hold for them once interim manager Ralf Rangnick is replaced by a permanent boss at the end of the season?
Here, Mirror Football takes a look at the six men in question.
Join the debate! Which midfielder should Man Utd sign? Comment your pick below.
The one who's leaving: Paul Pogba
On the day of Brighton's visit to Old Trafford, Pogba will only have 135 days left on his current contract with the Red Devils.
The mercurial Frenchman is set to end his six-year spell at Old Trafford via the same route he departed back in 2012, for free.
Although Pogba has the offer of a new deal on the table, agent Mino Raiola continues to signal that his client's interests are elsewhere and that United are merely a back-up option if a suitable move can't be found.
Undoubtedly talented, the 28-year-old has often showed his best form in fits and starts, whether it be through a ruptured relationship with a manager ( Jose Mourinho ) or persistent injury issues.
Maybe if idol Zinedine Zidane was appointed, Pogba's decision could be to stay put, but, as it stands, he'll be waving goodbye on June 30.
The one who Fergie likes: Scott McTominay
Never one who can be criticised for a lack of effort - a rarity among United's current crop this season - McTominay's rise at Old Trafford since breaking through from the academy has been a slow burn.
Initially tipped by Mourinho to be the commanding defensive presence that the 20-time English champions have been crying out for, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was able to transform him into a gung-ho goalscorer.
His runs from deep proved the difference in plenty of contests last term, showing exactly why he was a striker in his youth.
But as Rangnick deploys him in a single pivot behind Pogba and Bruno Fernandes, the grafting Scotsman's deficiencies - such as playing against a press - are brutally exposed, as seen in the drab 1-1 draw with Southampton on Saturday.
That being said, McTominay has arguably been one of the Red Devils' most consistent players in the post- Sir Alex Ferguson era, with the legendary boss comparing the 25-year-old to compatriot and United icon Darren Fletcher.
The one who splits opinion: Fred
McTominay's best bud in the centre of the park, Fred is another workhorse who has been heavily criticised ever since United stumped up £47million to sign him from Shakhtar Donetsk.
Bashed as someone who will never be good enough to play in a title-winning team by the likes of Roy Keane, the Brazilian's work ethic made him a favourite under Solskjaer and his ability to press has seen him trusted by Rangnick, too.
But as much as Fred can muck in defensively alongside a disciplined partner, he's another who can't hold down a midfield alone and is better suited in an advanced position.
A regular at international level in such a role, Fred is unquestionably a player who adds heart and quality to the squad, but just how much will depend on his next boss.
The senior one: Nemanja Matic
Signed by Mourinho after being his midfield anchor during his second stint as Chelsea manager, Matic's arrival was supposed to give the Red Devils an experienced platform to build from and flourish in attack.
But the fact the Serbian hasn't got his hands on a single trophy in the north-west sums up how that plan has gone.
Still possessing the acumen to perform well on his day, the length of time between occasions when Matic is ship-shape is growing longer and longer.
However, the 33-year-old will begin his sixth season at the club when he enters the final year of his contract next time out, and is one of the leaders behind the scenes - notably in charge of fines alongside captain Harry Maguire.
Hard to knock considering his age, the Old Trafford faithful can only dream of how things would've gone if their side had signed Matic just a few years before he eventually arrived as a Chelsea cast-off.
The hopeful one: Donny van de Beek
Unless you've been living under a rock since August 2020 - which might be a good thing if you're a United fan - Van de Beek has seriously struggled to adapt to life in the Premier League.
Handed a mere four starts in the English top flight since his £35million transfer from Ajax 18 months ago, the Dutchman finally got his wish in January by being loaned out to Everton, a team in dire need of creativity.
One start in and Van de Beek already looks reborn after being handed more familiar attacking responsibilities by new manager Frank Lampard, pulling the strings in the Toffees' emphatic 3-0 victory over Leeds last weekend.
Given that Ajax boss Erik ten Hag - who nurtured the 24-year-old into one of Europe's best playmakers - is one of the frontrunners to take the Old Trafford hot seat, his future may well be bright.
The one for the future: James Garner
While most expect the Red Devils' midfield salvation to come from the transfer market, academy star Garner has gone out and shone in the Championship with Nottingham Forest.
Helping Steve Cooper's men soar from a relegation dogfight to play-off contention in a matter of months, the classy midfielder's form has been central to their improvement.
Garner, likened to United legend Michael Carrick, has made 26 appearances in the second tier this campaign to build on his more-than-respectable tally of 40 last season with Watford and then Forest.
The 20-year-old's eye for a pass and spectacular goal compliment his superb composure on the ball, consistently demonstrating that he's got the makings of a top-tier defensive midfielder.
As supporters clamour for someone like Bissouma, Declan Rice or Ruben Neves, just remember that Garner will have something to say after doing plenty of talking on the pitch at the City Ground.
