There were exactly 29 days between Manchester United agreeing personal terms with Mason Mount and a fee with Chelsea. That alone is progress from the interminable Frenkie de Jong ordeal last year.
That lasted exactly 100 days; from the emergence of United's interest to concluding negotiations with Real Madrid for Casemiro. The one year remaining on Mount's Chelsea contract always made United hopeful of a swift deal.
They now have to move onto a striker and that cannot drag. Ideally, a new No.9 would be on board United's flight from Edinburgh to New York on July 19 ahead of three friendlies with Arsenal, Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund. The integration during a week-long training camp in San Diego is arguably more vital.
Harry Kane is, or was Erik ten Hag's preferred target, he has held video calls with Rasmus Hojlund, United admire Victor Osimhen (who doesn't?), Randal Kolo Muani is of interest and Ten Hag is impressed by Goncalo Ramos.
Also read: How Murtough secured a breakthrough in Mount negotiations
United have paid £55m up front for Mount. Going off their budget that is prefixed with 'tight', they have £65million to spend on a striker. That is nowhere near enough.
Player sales will be reinvested into the squad and United are not short of sellable assets but they struggle for demand at their stall in the sellers' market. There is little indication of any impending sales.
A centre forward might have been the first port of call had Mount not been so attainable. A dependable goalscorer could be the difference between a better season and a worse season for United, who barely have a recognisable striker.
Anthony Martial has been the No.9 for five of his eight years at the club but has hardly ever lived up to his number and his number is up after 17 goals in the last three seasons. Banking between £20m-£30m for Martial would help immeasurably.
Sources say the United football director John Murtough "held the line" during discussions on Mount but he might have to cross the line with a striker. Kane, Osimhen, Hojlund, Muani and Ramos would all easily command fees north of £65m.
United cannot bide their time, particularly as they are likely to plump for an overseas option after being discouraged from testing the waters for Kane. A new focal point would require time to collaborate with teammates, adapt to United's patterns of play and the ferocity of the Premier League.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic adjusted quickly in 2016 but he was built differently. So was Cristiano Ronaldo on his homecoming two years ago. Romelu Lukaku had spent most of his professional career in England. So had Robin van Persie.
Radamel Falcao arrived on deadline day and often played like the dead. Edinson Cavani never truly assimilated as the Covid-19 pandemic continued to impinge on people's freedom and he seemed to have a record annual holiday allowance written into his contract. Wout Weghorst was worse than Odion Ighalo, never mind Falcao.
Two of United's five permanent arrivals last year touched down in Manchester after the season had started. A move for Casemiro had been in the works for around three months and it should not have taken the generational nadir of Brentford to prompt United to switch from De Jong to Casemiro.
As fixated as United may be on a striker, they also have to address the opposite end of the pitch. Releasing David de Gea and selling Dean Henderson would clear around £390,000 off the wage bill and Nottingham Forest are believed to be prepared to offer £30m for Henderson.
The role of United No.1 is more unforgiving than No.9. Andre Onana's history with Ten Hag makes him an obvious external candidate and the familiarity would ease the transition.
United have a testing August. Their opening fixture against Wolves has been delayed until Monday night and their first two away games are at Tottenham and Arsenal. You cannot win the title in August but you can lose it.
A championship challenge has to be the aim, even if it is probably beyond United two years into Ten Hag's tenure. United did not overachieve last season but punched above their weight to finish third.
Liverpool have cleared the decks, Mauricio Pochettino should restore order at Chelsea and Tottenham have the benefit of no European football. The competitiveness in the Premier League is more intense with every season. United can't stand still.
Or wait 100 days.
