Antonio Conte might face stiff competition from Brendan Rodgers for the Manchester United job, but that doesn't mean he isn't planning ahead for the possibility that he will get it.
The Italian is in the running to replace Ole Gunnar Solskjaer if he leaves Old Trafford as pressure mounts on the Norwegian.
Solskjaer will be in the dugout for Saturday's clash against Tottenham, but he is on walking on a tightrope after United's 5-0 defeat by Liverpool.
It's claimed Leicester boss Rodgers is the frontrunner to be named as his successor, but there is plenty of appeal to Conte with his proven track record of winning silverware at Chelsea and most recently Inter Milan.
And he already has an eye on the players he would like to build his team around if he does land the job.
According to Gazzetta dello Sport, there are nine players he would like to have as part of his plans.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Paul Pogba, Raphael Varane, Alex Telles, Bruno Fernandes, Anthony Martial, Jadon Sancho, Mason Greenwood and Marcus Rashford are all named in the report.
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That means the likes of captain Harry Maguire and full-backs Luke Shaw and Aaron Wan-Bissaka may be in danger of losing their places in the starting XI.
Conte will want to make a few signings of his own too, including a new goalkeeper.
The Italian is a huge admirer of Thibaut Courtois from their time at Chelsea and it's likely he would look at a goalie he can trust as David de Gea is set to be surplus to requirements under him.
Conte's first signing is reported to be a centre-half, however, given United's well-documented issues in defence.
It's believed the former Chelsea boss is keen on reuniting with Inter Milan defender Stefan de Vrij to solve that problem.
The 29-year-old was a mainstay for Inter last season as Conte guided them to the Serie A title, ending Juventus ' nine-year reign.
It's no secret that the Red Devils are in desperate need of a midfielder as well and Conte could pursue the club's long-term target Declan Rice to finally shore up that area.
Keiran Tripper is another player the club have been linked with in the past and if Wan-Bissaka is not Conte's cup of tea, the Atletico Madrid right-back is an option.
Here is how Man Utd could potentially line up under Conte.
Possible Man Utd XI under Conte : Courtois, Trippier, Varane, De Vrij, Telles, Pogba, Rice, Fernandes, Sancho, Rashford, Ronaldo.
