Manchester United had barely touched down in Perth before Mino Raiola stepped up his campaign to secure a move for Paul Pogba.
And with Nemanja Matic also believed to be considering his future - Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is fighting fires on numerous fronts just a week into the start of pre-season.
But it is Pogba who is the source of greatest concern for Man Utd’s manager at the beginning of the tour to Australia and the Far East.
Solskjaer may have won a small battle in ensuring the wantaway midfielder joined the rest of his squad on the flight out of Manchester on Sunday. But the uncertainty over United’s record signing has only intensified.
Raiola’s intimation that the club are not doing enough to protect the player, will not help relations as talks continue over his future.
“The player has done nothing wrong,” Raiola told talkSPORT. “He has been respectful and professional in every way and always.
“The club has known his feeling for a long time.
“It is a shame other people only like to criticise without the right information, and I am also sorry that the club does not take any position against this.
“Hopefully there will be soon a satisfying solution for all parties.”
It is still unclear what qualifies as a satisfactory solution.
Pogba is intent on joining Zinedine Zidane’s revolution at Real Madrid.
Even if United secured their unofficial asking price of £150million for the 26-year-old, it is questionable how happy Solskjaer would be with the prospect of replacing a player he wants to build his team around.
Youri Tielemans’ transfer to Leicester this week has robbed United of one of the players they identified as a potential alternative to Pogba. And in an inflated market, the danger is they will have to spend a significant portion of the fee they receive on a potentially inferior replacement.
An ideal solution remains Christian Eriksen, who could be available for as little at £70-80m - unless Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy demands a premium to sell to a Premier League rival.
The Dane was the standout name on the list of alternatives for Pogba - but Solskjaer’s preference is to keep hold of his star player.
That is also the stance of the club - who insist he is not for sale at any price.
Solskjaer’s reluctance to let him go is understandable, given the size of his rebuilding job this summer.
He wants to bring in two midfielders even without the potential sale of Pogba - and Matic’s interest in a possible move to Inter or AC Milan raises the prospect of a complete midfield overhaul.
With Romelu Lukaku also eager to join Inter, Solskjaer could have to fill voids left by three of his highest profile players, who he had no desire to move on during this window.
The focus between now and the transfer deadline is to secure a top class centre back - with Harry Maguire the primary target - and at least one central midfielder.
Newcastle’s Sean Longstaff is one target, while Bruno Fernandes and Idrissa Gueye are others Solskjaer believes would bolster an area of his squad in desperate need of address.
Senior United sources have dismissed links with Tiemoue Bakayoko and Mario Lemina - but Solskjaer is running out of time to strengthen in that department.
He confirmed last week that the club were working on at least two more deals - but his plans would change significantly if he lost any of the trio looking to leave.
The £80m windfall from Lukaku’s departure would boost his spending power up front - even if Jadon Sancho looks out of reach this summer.
United have already expressed interest in Lille forward Nicolas Pepe and watched Moussa Dembele of Lyon - and Solskjær would almost certainly have to add to his attack if he lost his most prolific striker.
But midfield and defence remain the areas in most urgent need of strengthening - with or without Pogba.
