Manchester United will be focusing on just one area of the pitch in the January transfer window, but whether Michael Carrick will be in charge remains to be seen.
Should Man Utd prioritise defence or attack?
Manchester United completed their midfield rebuild over the summer, with Andrey Santos, Youri Tielemans and Carlos Baleba the main signings of the window. Karl Darlow and Tynan Thompson also moved to Old Trafford.
The engine room reshuffle was forced by Casemiro's departure in the summer; he left United on a free transfer for David Beckham's Inter Miami, despite playing a key role under Michael Carrick.
Tielemans and Mainoo have been the first-choice pair this season, but many fans feel Baleba will earn a starting role when he is fully fit, having been named on the bench against Fulham. The Cameroon international has stepped up his recovery during the international break.
While United's midfield rebuild has been completed, fans were looking for more signings in the transfer window.
Carrick is light at centre-forward and left-back, with Benjamin Šeško and Luke Shaw the only naturals in those positions.
Man Utd's January priority revealed
Given Joshua Zirkzee is yet to start a game for Manchester United this season, it would be easy to think that selling him and bringing in a new striker may be the priority, but Football Insider have said that it is defence which will be United's focus during the winter.
The report says Michael Carrick is "under threat" and it remains to be seen whether he will make it until the next transfer window in January.
"For United right now, a new striker is not a top priority. (The priority is) probably rebuilding the defence, as obviously they have done the forward line and midfield in the last two summers," said transfer journalist Pete O'Rourke.
"Going forward, United are looking to improve and restructure that defence, which will be the next stage of their process of rebuilding the squad."
Football Insider claim Michael Carrick wanted a new left-back in the summer, but Manchester United decided to focus on other options.
Patrick Dorgu and Noussair Mazraoui have both picked up injuries on international duty, while Luke Shaw returned from injury against Fulham before the break.
Shaw must impress
While Manchester United look set to sign a new left-back – either in January or next summer – it is not known what type of left-back they are looking for: one who will want to start every game, or one who will inherit Shaw's position in years to come.
If Shaw can impress this season, which would mean proving he can play multiple times a week at a good standard, he could earn himself a new contract at Old Trafford and remain first-choice left-back.
It has been reported that Manchester United are planning contract talks with Shaw, but the nature of those conversations remain unknown.
At this stage, it is all down to Shaw to prove his level and importance to Michael Carrick.
And if Shaw gets injured, it could all be down to young Harry Amass, who looked set to leave Old Trafford in the summer.
