24 days. 24 whole days. That's how long Manchester United fans were forced to wait before finally seeing their side back in action for the first time since a 2-2 draw against Bournemouth in March.
In that time, Manchester City won the Carabao Cup, four teams reached the semi-final of the FA Cup and NASA went to the dark side of the Moon and back. So when Man United did return to action, the least Old Trafford was expecting was a performance worth the wait.
Lammens-Sesko-Carrick-Man-Utd
Leeds United simply had other ideas, however. As Michael Carrick's side attempted to shake off the rust, the Whites took full advantage to send to perhaps end all hope of a permanent gig for the former Man United midfielder.
The latest on Man United's manager search
On paper, seven wins in 11 games in charge is certainly not a bad record. In reality, however, it's two wins in the last five games which will most concern INEOS, who now have a decision to make.
As an interim manager, Carrick has more than done his job. He has picked up the scraps of Ruben Amorim's tenure and lifted a failing side into third - on course for Champions League qualification.
For a moment, it looked more than a new manager bounce, but Leeds became the most recent side to expose that hidden spring on Monday.
The Red Devils cannot afford to take a risk on another unproven manager. Get it wrong and they'll be after another interim boss this time next season, just when they've got a serious chance at turning things around.
Just who arrives instead of Carrick is the big question. Andoni Iraola's decision to leave Bournemouth at the end of the season has certainly put those at Old Trafford on red alert, and the Spaniard is one to watch after an excellent spell on the South Coast.
AFC Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola looks dejected after the match
But, again, questions will arrive about his proven ability to take charge of a team on the biggest stage. As talented as he is, it's worth noting that Iraola's Bournemouth side went on an 11-game winless run earlier this season.
So, in the form of an alternative, according to GiveMeSport, Man United are set to avoid that risk by looking at Julian Nagelsmann instead this summer.
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Ex-Bayern Munich boss Julian Nagelsmann.
The report that the decision makers at Old Trafford are set reach out to Carrick replacements this month and Nagelsmann would appear to top the list.
It is stated that he is set to be formally approached in the coming weeks and is higher up on United's shortlist than current USMNT boss Mauricio Pochettino.
How Nagelsmann could transform Man Utd
There will never be another Pep Guardiola, but a young manager with fresh, bold ideas who's already taken charge of Bayern Munich certainly sounds familiar, doesn't it?
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Nagelsmann, at just 38 years old, is the best option on Man United's shortlist this summer. He's exactly what they thought Amorim was. He's young, innovative, yet already so experienced.
It's not just the Red Devils who need his fresh ideas, either. The Premier League could also do with a manager who's ready to reignite some entertainment away from the pragmatism which has infected English football.
Dubbed "the best young coach in Europe" by reporter Josh Bunting, Nagelsmann's 4-2-3-1 system has brought Germany back to life and turned them into one of the most entertaining sides around.
It's got the best out of the likes of Florian Wirtz, which is not an easy task - just ask Liverpool's Arne Slot. And he's often done so without an out-and-out striker, instead relying on Kai Havertz to lead the line in the type of false nine that Pep Guardiola would be proud of.
Julian Nagelsmann Bayern Munich record
Games 84
Wins 60
Draws 14
Defeats 10
That's not the only comparison between Guardiola and the young German, either. Former Manchester City full-back Angelino, who also worked with Nagelsmann at RB Leipzig, claimed that the two managers are very similar.
"Julian Nagelsmann and Pep Guardiola are very similar too. Their footballing philosophies share a lot of similarities. Whether it's the training methods or playing style, the goals are the same. Pep only had good things to say about the Bundesliga and RB Leipzig. He thought it would be the perfect place for me to develop."
INEOS won't have a better opportunity than this summer to hire Nagelsmann fresh from the World Cup. He is a generational talent, who would finally take Man United back to the top of English football.
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