Manchester United's dire draw with Newcastle at the start of the week was an alarming reality check that indicated just how much work Ralf Rangnick has to do at Old Trafford, but for Roy Keane, there was a chance to say "I told you so" after another of his bold predictions came true.
United supporters had waited 16 days between festive fixtures as their side finally returned to action at the start of the week, though by full-time some might have been wishing they hadn't bothered.
Following a Covid-19 outbreak, matches against Brentford and Brighton were both postponed, affecting the momentum that had been building under their interim manager.
The quirk of his first four weeks in charge at Old Trafford is that United have only played four times under him, registering two wins and two draws, though they are yet to truly convince in any of those matches.
Rangnick arrived as a breath of fresh air with his no-nonsense, straight-talking approach, though he has been unable to walk the walk on the pitch with United still harbouring many of the issues that proved detrimental under previous managers.
Despite a new-look formation, which has seen a number of fringe players given prominent roles, this is still a side lacking a clear identity; it struggles to defend, makes weaker sides look colossal, has a limp midfield and is struggling to function while catering for their star attacking players.
It would be harsh to say the bubble has burst under the guidance of the new interim boss, but the manner of United's draw at St James' Park this week was certainly a worrying reality check regarding just how much improvement is needed this season.
With the January transfer window set to open this weekend, the temptation is once again to suggest spending money will solve all of the club's issues, though this past summer showed that 'winning the transfer market' does not count for anything in terms of results on the pitch.
It's an issue club legend Keane is well aware of. The Irishman has long been offering reality checks with his comments as a pundit which, though not always well timed, often providing a look at the wider picture when the club looks to ride the wave of positivity and amplify modest achievements beyond what they really are.
In the wake of United's dismal draw with Newcastle, a Keane clip has resurfaced on social media from two-and-a-half years ago in which he warned Ole Gunnar Solskjaer would fail, just as Jose Mourinho had, because of the slipping standards on and off the pitch at Old Trafford.
He was right.
"I don’t fall for the things said that they will now play well," Keane said after defeat to Man City back in April 2019. "These are the same players who threw Mourinho under the boss and they will do the same to Ole.
"Leopards don’t change their spots. There are too many bluffers at this club to get United back to the very top.
"The fact we are saying United are going for fourth shows how the standards have dropped and they are in free fall, on and off the pitch."
A whole 32 months after those comments, Keane is being proven right once again. After a turbulent start to the season, United find themselves with a new manager in charge and are already looking to twist a potential top-four finish as a positive in a campaign when they should have been challenging for the title.
In defence of Rangnick, he has not yet had the chance to make sufficient changes to the squad as required, but Keane's warning is particularly relevant ahead of the January transfer window in which an overhaul is needed.
Recent weeks have proven Solskjaer was a problem but not the problem at Old Trafford, and Rangnick's long-term legacy will be defined by just how successful he is at stopping the cycle that has plagued the club since Sir Alex Ferguson left.
He might not always read the room, but Keane is being proven right again.
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