They say absence makes the heart grow fonder, and that was certainly true for Manchester United on Monday night.
Without Harry Maguire and Kobbie Mainoo through suspension and injury, respectively, it all appeared to go to pieces in that dire first-half at Old Trafford, Michael Carrick's men looking all at sea up against a Leeds United side who smelled blood.
Lammens-Sesko-Carrick-Man-Utd
In Mainoo's case, in particular, the woes of his direct replacement, Manuel Ugarte, highlighted his importance even more, with United winning just one of the last ten games that the Uruguayan has started in midfield, losing six of those.
Such a stark decline in quality simply isn't sustainable, with at least two new midfield reinforcements set to be needed heading into this summer.
Work on that front, it would appear, is already underway.
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If it wasn't before Sunday, Ugarte's long-term future in Manchester is likely to be in doubt ahead of next season, with a move to Newcastle United having been mooted in recent weeks.
Ugarte vs Leeds
Stat
Touches
Pass rate
Key passes
Dribbles
Ball lost
Prog. carries
Fouls
Fouls won
Tackles
Total duels won
With Casemiro destined to depart at the expiry of his contract, an already depleted midfield unit is set to be even further trimmed in the coming months.
As The Athletic's David Ornstein outlined, speaking in a Q & A, there are a range of options being considered by the INEOS hierarchy, with the likes of Elliot Anderson, Sandro Tonali and Carlos Baleba all name-checked by the transfer insider.
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Manchester United have identified another transfer target ahead of the summer transfer window.
Ornstein noted that Anderson is the "top target", although rivals Manchester City are in the frame, posing a further obstacle for a player who is likely to command a Premier League record fee for a midfielder, alongside an "extremely high salary".
An alternative is certainly needed, with Ornstein also moving on to discuss those receiving "less media attention", with Bournemouth's Alex Scott also under "serious consideration".
Alex-Scott-England
The respected journalist noted that the Guernsey-born playmaker "should not be discounted" amid United's midfield search, having enjoyed another sparkling season on the south coast.
As revealed elsewhere, however, Chelsea are also exploring a move for the 22-year-old, with the Cherries set to demand a price tag in excess of £50m.
Why Scott would be an upgrade on Mainoo
Part of the dilemma for United is the decision over whether to prioritise a direct successor to Casemiro in that number six role, in order to partner Mainoo, or pursue a more similar profile of midfielder to the Englishman, putting the 20-year-old's starting berth under threat.
Mainoo-Man-Utd-career-path
In the case of Scott, the elegant sensation would certainly fall into that latter category, someone who mirrors Mainoo as a deep-lying, yet progressive ballplayer, rather than a dogged, ball-winner like the Brazilian.
The Bournemouth star's quality was no more so evident than against league leaders Arsenal last weekend, having skipped his way into the penalty area to sweep home what proved to be the winner at the Emirates.
That decisive moment was just reward for what was another masterful midfield display from the ex-Bristol City starlet, with Scott having run the show up against arguably the cream of the crop in the division, in the form of Declan Rice.
Just a few weeks earlier too, the £50m-rated talent had also been mesmeric in the thrilling 2-2 draw with Carrick's side at the Vitality, proving so influential both in and out of possession.
Indeed, he racked up 82 touches, provided two key passes and completed 100% of his attempted dribbles, all while also winning 100% of his tackles, 100% of his aerial duels and 100% of his ground duels, putting in the complete midfield showing.
There's a grace and poise to his game that even Mainoo struggles to match, with the Red Devils star, by contrast, winning 33% of his total duels, while failing to successfully win a tackle or complete a dribble on the night.
Alex-Scott-Bournemouth-Ayden-Heaven
Scott, with three goals so far this season in the league, also betters Mainoo in that regard, with the latter man yet to score even amid his return to prominence following Ruben Amorim's dismissal.
It is Scott's superior athleticism which makes him a particular upgrade on his compatriot, however, having averaged 2.6 tackles and interceptions per game, ahead of Mainoo's own average of just 1.5.
The Bournemouth genius is a delight to watch and balances his attacking and defensive instructions so beautifully, making him the type of figure that United should be chasing this summer.
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