Knowing this modern-day Manchester United side, the chickens can never be counted, although all being well, Michael Carrick will be leading this team to Champions League qualification come the end of May.
It's been something of an enforced, albeit much-needed, reset for the Red Devils this season, having primarily focused on the Premier League amid the lack of European football and two swift cup exits, yet this cannot be the norm moving forward.
Considering the lengthy gap between games, and the lack of midweek action, 2025/26 has felt like a real chore at times, ensuring INEOS need to assemble a squad capable of competing on all four fronts next season.
Michael-Carrick
Fine work was done following the arrival of four senior signings last summer, yet the squad overhaul needs to continue. The Old Trafford side can't afford to hang around.
Man Utd keen to wrap up quick deal for £100m sensation
Ahead of a summer that will also see a decision made regarding the next permanent manager in Manchester, a potential issue could be the upcoming World Cup, with the expanded tournament likely to be something of an obstacle to getting deals done swiftly.
Man Utd - Summer 2024
Date*
14 July
18 July
13 Aug
13 Aug
30 Aug
30 Aug
*1st game - 10 Aug (Community shield)
Two years ago, during Euro 2024, it took until 14 July for United to get a first deal over the line, while the likes of Matthijs de Ligt, Noussair Mazraoui and Manuel Ugarte were signed in mid to late August - hardly ideal preparations for the new season.
United and INEOS are keen to avoid a repeat this time around, with journalist Samuel Luckhurst reporting that both the Red Devils - and rivals Manchester City - are keen to wrap up a swift deal for Nottingham Forest star, Elliot Anderson.
It is City who currently lead the race for his signature, although both sides look set to move quickly, amid the concern that the 23-year-old's price tag will only increase further if he enjoys a strong summer for the Three Lions.
As reported, any deal won't be cheap as it is, even prior to Anderson's World Cup involvement, with the midfielder said to be valued at around £100m.
That figure would make it a club-record deal for those at Old Trafford, with Paul Pogba's £89m signing from 2016 still yet to be eclipsed.
Why Anderson could be the next Rio Ferdinand at Man Utd
Erik ten Hag might have gone down the Dutch route, although time and again, the modern era at Manchester United has seen the Red Devils seek out the best English or British talent on the market, be it Harry Maguire in 2019, Michael Carrick in 2006 or Wayne Rooney in 2004.
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In terms of a comparison to Anderson, it is the signing of a certain Rio Ferdinand that shares the greatest likeness, with the now-retired defender having signed on a then-record deal back in the summer of 2002.
The centre-back sensation had been part of England's World Cup squad that summer, while previously impressing across his two-season stay at Leeds United, even emerging as captain at Elland Road despite having only been 23 at the time of his controversial exit.
That rise, having initially been something of a wonderkid back at West Ham United, certainly mirrors Anderson's ascent of late, with the young Geordie also just 23, while having spent two seasons at the City Ground.
Even amid all the chaos at Forest - much like Ferdinand at Leeds - Anderson has shone of late, forcing his way into the frame as the likely starter alongside Declan Rice for his country.
Vidic-Rio-Ferdinand-Manchester-United
A gifted footballer in possession, but a workhorse out of it, the ex-Newcastle United man has no doubt left those back on Tyneside with a sense of regret over their decision to cash in, again mirroring Ferdinand's sale from West Ham back in 2000.
From shining on loan at Bristol Rovers in his early senior career, the £100m man is now among the cream of the crop when it comes to Premier League midfielders, creating six 'big chances' this term, while averaging four tackles and interceptions per game.
In an era of sixes, eights and tens, this is a player who can seemingly do it all, notably ranking first in the division with regard to total duels won (254), comfortably ahead of Everton's James Tarkowski (195) in second.
Like Ferdinand all those years ago, this is a stellar English talent who can slot in smoothly to life in Manchester, with the potential there for him to be a mainstay of this team for the next decade or so.
elliot-anderson-nottingham-forest
The race for his signature, amid City's presence, is heating up, yet INEOS should do all they can to sanction what would be United's biggest ever deal.
K Mainoo Related
[He's a "bit of Bellingham": INEOS make enquiry to sign Man Utd's new Mainoo](https://www.footballfancast.com/own-bellingham-man-utd-enquire-to-sign-new-mainoo-lewis-skelly/ "He's a "bit of Bellingham": INEOS make enquiry to sign Man Utd's new Mainoo")
Man Utd appear ready to pounce for another bright young thing like Kobbie Mainoo.