The pendulum swings with every result at Manchester United, with the naysayers already using the recent defeat to Newcastle United to cast doubt over Michael Carrick's long-term job prospects.
Now, performances - stretching back to the West Ham United draw - have been underwhelming over an extended period, although Carrick appears to be getting the best out of what he has at his disposal.
One look to the bench at St James' Park said it all, with Amad and Joshua Zirkzee representing the only senior, attacking options in reserve, while the only midfield reinforcement was that of Manuel Ugarte.
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While there have been signs of encouragement from INEOS recent arrivals at Old Trafford, the squad overhaul is only just beginning, with there still a string of problems to solve.
INEOS transfer priorities at Man Utd this summer
If all goes to plan, with United still in third in the Premier League table as it stands, the INEOS regime will have to put together a squad capable of competing in the Champions League next season.
Manchester United interim manager Michael Carrick celebrates after the match
On current evidence, Carrick's crop appear to wilt whenever asked to play more than one game a week, having not won a midweek game all season, across league and cup.
Depth and quality are needed, starting at the back, with Altay Bayindir's expected exit ensuring a competitor or understudy to Senne Lammens will be required, even if Tom Heaton stays put for another year.
Defensively too, while Luke Shaw has creditably started every top-flight game this season, the 30-year-old isn't the marauding full-back that he once was, ensuring an upgrade in that left channel remains another priority.
Of course, all eyes will be on the midfield amid Casemiro's confirmed exit, and with Bruno Fernandes' future still uncertain, ensuring at least two new signings in that department are expected. Adam Wharton or Elliot Anderson, anyone?
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This Man Utd ace is one of their biggest talents in years
Equally, as the loss of Patrick Dorgu to injury has exposed, there is a real lack of depth in the left-wing berth, with both Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford out on loan, alongside the sale of Alejandro Garnacho.
Throw into the mix the need for an experienced striker, and the list of priorities is growing, although if 2025 is anything to go by, INEOS can be trusted to oversee things.
Man Utd have struck gold on "Pogba-esque" INEOS signing
Looking back to 2024, Erik ten Hag's fingerprints appear all over that summer window, after clinging onto his job following the FA Cup final, with the likes of Matthijs de Ligt, Noussair Mazraoui and the aforementioned Zirkzee continuing the theme of Dutch or ex-Ajax players arriving in Manchester.
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Those 2024 arrivals have all had varying degrees of success, although the current campaign has proven particularly difficult for both Ugarte and Leny Yoro, the young Frenchman only recently looking all at sea in the narrow win over Crystal Palace.
INEOS, encouragingly, have learnt their lesson since then, starting 2025 as they intended to go on with two astute deals, in the form of £30m man Dorgu and then-Arsenal starlet, Ayden Heaven.
Heaven, still just 19, is yet to truly nail down a regular role for himself in United's first-team, although having been poached from the Gunners for a fee of just £1m, it's hard to argue with that bargain capture.
A tall, elegant and powerful ball-playing defender - having been described as having a "Paul Pogba-esque swagger" by his grassroots football coach Terry Bobie - the teenager notably impressed in his brief outings last season under Ruben Amorim, including on his first Europa League start against Real Sociedad.
Heaven - 25/26 PL stats
Stat (*per game)
Games
Starts
Goals & Assists
Pass accuracy*
Tackles*
Dribbled past*
Clean sheets
Total duels won*
Aerial duels won*
Ball lost*
Speaking at the time, Wayne Rooney suggested it "looks like he's been there for years", with the left-footer seeing his impact cruelly cut short by the injury sustained against Leicester City.
As for 2025/26, that night at Grimsby proved a rare early-season outing, although Heaven was seen more regularly over the festive period, putting in a Man of the Match display on Boxing Day at home to Newcastle.
Tougher outings at Elland Road and Turf Moor followed, having not started again since the latter, yet all the signs point to this being a player United can mould and develop over the coming years.
Indeed, there's certainly a lot to like about the Englishman's physical attributes and ball-carrying ability, with his relatively swift rise at Old Trafford - having previously only played once for Arsenal - seen in his soaring market value, now deemed to be worth £17m, as per Transfermarkt.
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That marks a 1600% increase on INEOS' investment from just over 12 months ago, with this summer hopefully pointing to more of the same.
With so many gaps to plug, not every deal can be a marquee, £50m-plus signing. The Red Devils need to find value in the market, just as they have with Heaven.
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