The January transfer window is now only a matter of weeks away and Manchester United are well aware of the task that needs to be carried out as soon as it opens.
Ralf Rangnick's transfer track record at the Red Bull clubs has sent gossip columns into overdrive as they speculate on the potential arrivals in the New Year, the reality is that United still need to sell before they even think about adding to their seismic squad.
United only managed to shift one player on a permanent deal in the summer window, as Daniel James moved to Leeds for £25 million. He became the fourth-biggest sale in the club's entire history, earning a shout out from Ed Woodward in a quarterly conference call, though ironically, he would probably be an ideal fit for the new system Rangnick has implemented.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was far too gluttonous with his squad options and hoarded talent throughout his time at the club, despite relying on a core group of individuals to bring regularity to his side whenever possible. It's an understandable approach, but United are still feeling the repercussions as Rangnick deals with the reality of many unhappy players behind the scenes.
Anthony Martial is the latest player to publicly voice a desire to leave next month, via the method of his agent, while Jesse Lingard is also keen on a move after promises over playing time weren't kept by his former manager.
It is the attacking duo who represent the biggest news ahead of the next transfer window, with both of them harbouring World Cup ambitions for next winter and well aware that in order to get international recalls they need to be playing regularly elsewhere.
Martial has long overstayed his welcome at Old Trafford and, despite a good contribution to the cause, he has steadily slipped down the pecking order, overtaken by the likes of Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood, then made obsolete after the summer additions of Jadon Sancho and Cristiano Ronaldo.
It's a different story for Lingard, who has seen his stock soar after redemption at West Ham earlier in the year. The consensus now is that he should be playing more often, but because he is not a long-term solution, he is probably not worthy of a lengthy contract extension either.
If United really do want to operate like an elite side again then there can be no room for sentiment when it comes to the January transfer window and, in the case of Martial and Lingard, the duo must be sold if the club is really to move on from the tedious cycle they have been caught in.
The argument is further propelled by the fact that United would not necessarily need to replace them either, with an abundance of young hopefuls lurking in the periphery, itching to get their chance in the first-team.
Instead of bulking up the bench with Martial and Lingard there could be a fresh look to United next year with more regular squad involvement for the likes of Anthony Elanga, Shola Shoretire, Amad and Hannibal Mejbri.
All four of those players have to be classified as contenders to go out on loan given the crossroads they are currently at in their young careers, though a chance of sporadic senior involvement could be enough for at least one of them to stay at the club and gain priceless experience on a more regular basis.
In the long-term United might well decide that a more senior recruit is needed in order to bolster their attacking players, but for now they have plenty of unproven youngsters who deserve an equal opportunity to showcase why they can be the solution.
There is no excuse for another quiet January.
