Ralf Rangnick's only priority at Manchester United now is to win football matches – any way he can – and qualify for the Champions League next season.
Forget about identity, forget about who might be coming in as permanent manager in the summer when Rangnick moves 'upstairs' in a consultancy role.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was accused of building a team with no identity after three years and spending £400 million, so Rangnick can't be expected to install one after five minutes.
I don't think United are going to win the Champions League this season, so realistically the FA Cup is the only trophy they can win in 2022. That means Rangnick MUST throw all his resources at a top-four finish.
In the week it was revealed that Ed Woodward will step down as executive vice-chairman, with Richard Arnold taking over as CEO, there has been harsh criticism of Woodward's tenure despite his commercial success.
But Manchester United are judged by results on the pitch – and the evidence of their 1-0 home defeat by Wolves generated too much cause for concern.
Where Antonio Conte has gone into Tottenham and made an immediate difference, lifting the team's combined running capacity from 100km to 114km per 90 minutes, so far Rangnick's philosophy is less clear.
His recent 4-2-2-2 shape isn't working because it does not give United enough control in midfield, it doesn't accommodate Bruno Fernandes as a No.10 and the partnership of Cristiano Ronaldo and Edinson Cavani up front didn't enjoy enough service.
Once again, I am hearing that Ronaldo is the problem at Old Trafford because United are struggling to fit him into the side.
Really? If CR7 is the problem, I would love to know the question.
Compare his output – 14 goals (eight in the Premier League, six in the Champions League) for United in 22 appearances this season – with other No.9 strikers and tell me he's the issue.
Harry Kane (four Premier League goals, 11 in all club football), Raul Jimenez (three), Diogo Jota (10 in Prem, 12 in all), Romelu Lukaku (five in Prem, seven in all), Michail Antonio (eight in Prem, nine in all), Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (four in Prem, seven in all) have not left Ronaldo behind.
Only Mo Salah, currently the best player in the world, has 17 Premier League goals (23 in all) to show for the form of his life, is outscoring him.
And Lionel Messi, playing in a less competitive environment in France, has managed only one league goal for Paris Saint-Germain (plus five in the Champions League).
So Ronaldo is no doing badly for a guy who turns 37 next month.
He is still first one in the training ground at Carrington every morning and the last to leave, setting a fantastic example to United's young players, who are inspired by his professionalism.
I would suggest United's biggest headaches are at the other end of the pitch, where goalkeeper David De Gea has too often been their best player.
Here's a telling stat: Between them Norwich, Newcastle and Burnley – the bottom three – have scored only 43 goals in 55 games, but they have managed 42 shots against United.
Rangnick is not going to solve the club's issues of system, shape and identity overnight.
But a top-four finish is imperative – and right now, it's far from clear how he is going to deliver that.
