Manchester United, like so many other clubs right now, are working on transfers with one hand tied behind their back.
Such has been the financial blow felt by football clubs in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, that even the third richest club in the world - according to Forbes' latest rankings - is facing up to very real difficulties. When its commercial chief, Ed Woodward, proclaims that transfers this year "won't be business as usual", you know it's serious.
So the summer transfer window, which may well stretch way into September or October, won't reflect the money-lavishing windows of recent years. Teams who think and act creatively will be rewarded, as will those who are swift and efficient. United's top four rivals Chelsea are closing to adding Timo Werner to the signing of Ajax's Hakim Ziyech, whose pending arrival was confirmed in February. Frank Lampard has been smart.
Matters have not been so easy for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Yes, extending Odion Ighalo's loan from Shanghai Shenhua until January was a necessary piece of business - both for this season's restart and bolstering the squad for 2020/21. But fans are eager for more.
The desperation to see the club sign Jadon Sancho poured over when the Werner news broke late on Thursday, with many urging United to act quickly.
There is a huge interest from United in the Borussia Dortmund winger but these things will take a while to sort themselves out, especially in the current climate.
In the mean time, Angel Gomes' future is the biggest issue staring United in the face with regards to the current squad, a problem that could be solve without a huge amount of money being spent.
And although the diminutive academy playmaker is now in the final month of his contract, with talks having reached an impasse, United can still reach a resolution that suits everybody.
Gomes' concern is about committing himself to United for another three or four years, by which time he will be around 23 years old, and the amount of football he'll get in that time. He's seen Jesse Lingard, Andreas Pereira and Juan Mata all begin the season (and remain) ahead of him in the pecking order. And when none of the trio really fired, United brought in Bruno Fernandes.
It cannot be argued that Fernandes wasn't a fine purchase. The Portuguese has helped raise United to new levels. Yet all the while Lingard, Pereira and Mata are sitting in the background as squad players.
The Solskjaer era has been all about promoting youth from the United academy and reducing the average age of the squad. So why not give Gomes a chance instead of these older players, who are unlikely to improve much more, if at all?
It's a question many United fans are asking themselves, especially considering Lingard's drop-off in form over the past 18 months and Pereira's inconsistent displays this season. The pair have managed four goals and five assists between them in all competitions. Gomes might have managed a similar tally by himself given the opportunities, but has played just 19 minutes in the Premier League this term, five appearances in all competitions.
Mata is a different case, being older and content with a peripheral role, but United need to get their priorities in order when it comes to attacking midfielders. Gomes could end up as the one that got away.
The vultures are circling and United's time is running out. Chelsea have been linked with Gomes. Surely they can't do another piece of business from under the noses of their rivals?
Either way, the ball is still in United's court until the end of June.
Keeping Gomes might mean having to let Lingard, Pereira or both leave. But if Solskjaer has true faith in his own Old Trafford strategy, these three risks will be worth taking.
