Manchester United have already seen results pick up under interim manager Ralf Rangnick, but his role at the club is expected to go beyond what happens on the pitch.
The German is known for unearthing gems in the transfer market, and a number of players have already been linked with a move to Old Trafford, while uncertainty continues to reign over the future of Paul Pogba.
Marseille midfielder Boubacar Kamara is one of the latest midfielders to be mentioned in connection with the club, while RB Leipzig's Amadou Haidara has been linked with a reunion with Rangnick.
United's interim boss has attempted to use his preferred 4-2-2-2 setup at his new club, so Mirror Sport has looked at a few ways in which the club might line up in midfield if the approach continues.
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Kamara's contract situation means he could be available in a cut-price deal in January, while Haidara's admission about supporting United as a child adds more fuel to the transfer fire.
Of course, it is still possible that Pogba renews his deal at Old Trafford, which is due to expire at the end of the season, but Rangnick's comments point towards a need to refresh things.
"I wouldn't say he is not worth keeping but players need to want to stay and play for the club," the interim boss said.
"If a player doesn't want to play for a club like Manchester United, even in the long term, I don't think it makes sense to convince him to change his mind."
The first option for United is to add both Kamara and Haidara to their ranks, revamping a midfield which has come in for criticism at times this season.
This is not to say the club would cut ties entirely with the 'McFred' midfield pairing, but one would expect an addition of two new midfielders would take place with their compatibility in mind.
If Rangnick considers the two linked midfielders to offer greater defensive solidity, it could free him up to use both Bruno Fernandes and Jadon Sancho in front of them - as was the case in the win over Norwich City - at least against more defensive opponents.
Note that the defences and attacks in these line-ups are far from set in stone either, but for now we are focusing on the middle of the pitch.
Against tougher opponents, however, there may be a temptation to push Fred into a more advanced role after his success there in the draw at Chelsea.
The Brazilian scored the winner in Rangnick's first game, and has looked like a player reborn amid the greater freedom offered away from previous manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
The former Shakhtar Donetsk man has sometimes looked more comfortable breaking forward with late runs and pressing high up the pitch, and other approaches could leave United too open against opponents who see more of the ball.
Option three is where things get a little more complicated.
United will likely have competition in the market - certainly for Kamara, who has been linked with other Premier League sides - and could end the window having made just one addition.
Such a scenario might require Fred to return to a double pivot, though Scott McTominay and Nemanja Matic are also options in the deeper role.
Further forward, Rangnick might opt for Donny van de Beek alongside Bruno Fernandes if sticking with the 4-2-2-2 approach, while there is still a chance Pogba sticks around to fulfil the role.
Rangnick still has a few weeks to figure out how he wants his team to line-up in January and beyond, and the return from injury of Raphael Varane at centre-back ought to help the manager get a better feel for what the side needs.
The former Leipzig boss has been linked with players in other areas as well, with River Plate forward Julian Alvarez among those mentioned, but youth appears to remain the focus.
Rangnick is attempting to put United in a good position for when he moves into a consultancy role at the end of the season, but that doesn't mean the younger players he seeks to bring in won't be ready to jump straight in.
