Anyone who's ever played Football Manager will tell you that running a football club is pretty simple. You just sign a few decent players, tell them they're all brilliant every weekend and march towards the title, right?
If only it was that simple.
So many things need to click into place for a club to achieve their goals, though quality work in the transfer market is undoubtedly the cornerstone of any successful team.
Manchester United enjoyed one of their most successful transfer windows in recent times this summer - or at least that's what we thought.
Four-time Champions League winner Raphael Varane hasn't fixed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's leaky defence, Cristiano Ronaldo has been the subject of constant criticism despite scoring nine in his first 12 games back at the club and Jadon Sancho is just, well, the less said about his start to life at Old Trafford the better.
Still, at least Tom Heaton is doing what was expected of him.
Instead of praising the transfer team for their stellar work in the market, we've found ourselves moaning about the players we didn't buy. That might sound like we're being a bit petulant but you only have to watch 10 minutes of a United game against a decent side to realise a defensive midfielder should have been the club's priority.
Some fans are already desperate to see the back of the 2021/22 campaign but it really isn't as bad as we all think. Yes, there have been some appalling displays, but we're still top of Champions League Group F and only six points behind the much-fancied Manchester City in the Premier League, plus we've got a secret weapon up our sleeve.
The mere mention of the term 'January transfer window' is enough to make some fans start to sweat, but United have enjoyed great success in the mid-season window over the years.
Patrice Evra, Nemanja Vidic and Bruno Fernandes all arrived at Old Trafford in the January transfer window and became crucial parts of the United first team.
That being said, it would be remiss of me to completely ignore our January transfer window mishaps (if I ever see Alexis Sanchez playing that piano again I'm going to scream).
You see, the January transfer window might be viewed by some as an opportunity to salvage your season, but it can actually dictate the fortunes of your club for years to come.
United are treading a very fine line right now and the upcoming transfer window could be argued to be one of the club's most important in recent years.
Who knows whether Solskjaer will be in the United hot seat or not in two months' time, but if he isn't , Erik ten Hag is the perfect manager to lead them into such a vital period.
The Dutchman has been touted as a potential successor to Solskjaer and his dealings in previous January windows bode very well if he does get the job.
Just 10 months ago Ten Hag signed Premier League flop Sebastien Haller for what seemed a ridiculously inflated price of €22.5 million (£19.25 million) but the Ivory Coast international's haul of 11 goals in 19 Eredivisie games ensured Ajax were crowned champions.
Anyone worrying that Ten Hag won't have enough time to draw up his January plans if he joins United now needs not worry. Having been appointed Ajax boss in late December 2017, the Dutchman secured the signing of Nicolas Tagliafico the following month and he's now one of the most sought-after left-backs in European football.
The upcoming January transfer window isn't just a chance for United to save their season, it's a chance for them to build for the future.
The club are in dire need of a defensive midfielder, while a centre-forward and a right-back are also likely to be on the shopping list.
I'm not suggesting Solskjaer definitely can't give United what they need, but Ten Hag definitely can.
Do you think Ten Hag is the man for United? Follow United On My Mind content editor Ross Jackson on Twitter and let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
