When the i's are dotted, the t's are crossed and the scarf held aloft, Erik ten Hag will begin his mammoth task as Manchester United 's new permanent manager.
Old Trafford chiefs are busy finalising the 52-year-old's appointment, with Ten Hag being selected as the Red Devils' chosen candidate after rounds of in-depth talks over the past fortnight. With official confirmation seemingly a matter of when not if, the Ajax boss can now begin to draw up his plans to bring United back to the top of world football.
But being the meticulous manager he is, Ten Hag has already been scheming and even told those interviewing him for the vacant post about his five-year plan, as reported by the Independent. No-doubt a vision that looks like a dream paper, the Dutchman can't afford to waste any time in reality at the world's self-proclaimed biggest club.
What exactly is Ten Hag planning, though? Here, Mirror Football takes a look at the incoming boss' seven-point to-do list once he steps into the Old Trafford hot seat with plenty of matters to resolve.
1. Ronaldo: stick or twist
For a man labelled the Red Devils' "problem," Cristiano Ronaldo can make a strong case to be United's best outfield player this season. With 18 goals to his name, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner has undoubtedly proven that he can still do it in the Premier League - so long as he's in a team catered to his presence.
Stick Ronaldo in Liverpool or Manchester City 's setup and things would be different, as the 37-year-old understandably struggles to contribute in a high-pressing system, where fluidity and constant movement is key. With Ten Hag's Ajax being one of the most progressive, free-flowing sides in Europe, it's hard to imagine him being keen on a player like Ronaldo as his first-choice No.9 for long.
And the feeling could be mutual, with it being understood Ronaldo is ready to quit United if he isn't a fan of who they appoint as manager. With one year remaining on his contract when this campaign wraps up, his fairytale return might be better ending this summer, saving both him and his new boss a great deal of compromise.
2. Rashford's future
While it's tough to criticise Ronaldo thanks to his goal output, Marcus Rashford has no leg to stand on this term when it comes the scrutiny he's faced - at least about his performances on the pitch. The 24-year-old, whose season began late after undergoing surgery on his shoulder, has appeared a shadow of his former self.
No longer looking like the fresh-faced academy product of old, Rashford has lost his place in Ralf Rangnick's starting XI - even when the Red Devils don't have a striker available. After a verbal altercation with supporters when United were dumped out of the Champions League by Atletico Madrid in March, it emerged that the forward was considering his future.
Although Rashford's talent is unquestionable and his goalscoring record solid, his demeanour on the pitch is a worry, with a host of pundits suggesting that a fresh start would be best. But will the Red Devils give up and cash in on the national treasure? Time will tell, and it might be Ten Hag breaking the news.
3. Get Maguire going again
A player determined to silence his critics and stay put at Old Trafford, Harry Maguire is another star enduring the most difficult period of his United career. Booed and jeered by fans of both his club and country, his status as captain and at centre-back has been thrust into jeopardy this campaign.
Not only that, but the 28-year-old's long-term suitability is under the microscope, with Rio Ferdinand recently explaining his concerns over Maguire's deficiencies. "You need defenders who can defend on the halfway line, one-v-one, two-v-two - or three against two if you need that security," Ferdinand declared on his YouTube channel.
"If you can play two-v-two one-v-one or on the halfway line, that enables you to have more bodies in the opponent's half of the pitch, hence why teams do that to win the ball early and be closer to the opposition's goal to score goals.
"Liverpool do it tremendously well, City do it really, really well as well, Bayern [Munich] do it; three of the best teams on the planet. Everyone's going that way of playing football, Ralf Rangnick's style of football is like that. Can Maguire do that, can you do that with Maguire? That's my problem, that's my issue."
So, with £80million man unlikely to leave via a transfer, Ten Hag will be challenged to work with him and find the version of Maguire who looks so comfortable for England, even in a back four. With the speed of Raphael Varane alongside him, surely there's a way back for the world's most expensive defender.
4. Sort the fitness
While you can coach tactics from dusk till dawn, no one can reach the top without the pristine level of fitness required. Not everyone needs to be as fit as Marcelo Bielsa's players, but interim manager Ralf Rangnick has admitted that the Red Devils couldn't even compete with Leicester during Saturday's 1-1 draw.
And to no one's surprise, Ten Hag raised the United's long-running issue - stretching back to the Jose Mourinho era - during one of his discussions with the club's head honchos. He and his coaching staff will quickly need to improve fitness within the squad if the Red Devils want to be a high-tempo team, capable of sustained pressing on a weekly basis.
But it's not something you can always implement, as Rangnick explained. "I don't think it's to do with mindset, it's to do with the DNA of players. This team does not lack technical players, it can do with more physicality," the acclaimed German coach, nicknamed the 'Godfather of the Gegenpress', told reporters post-match.
"I told the board this is what has to happen. Whenever the new head coach is clear, it has to be: 'How does he want to play and what kind of players do we need for that?' Then we come back to DNA, speed, physicality, tempo... what do we need? This team does not lack technical players; it can do with more physicality."
5. Give Garner a chance
Just as their physicality could improve with signings, the return of James Garner - currently on loan at Nottingham Forest - might prove to a handy boost and the start of something special in United's haphazard midfield. The 21-year-old has spent almost 18 months at the City Ground and emerged as one of the Championship's best deep-lying playmakers.
Chipping in with four goals and four assists in 33 league games, Garner looks ready for the step up to the Premier League, with Forest fans singing his praises week in, week out. The Telegraph report that the Red Devils have 'earmarked' the youngster as a player who could well establish himself as part of the first-team picture next term, with Ten Hag expected to have the final say on whether or not he's loaned out.
Garner was once tipped by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to become United's 'next Michael Carrick' and after hopefully firing Steve Cooper and co Premier League promotion this season, he'll be keen to live up to the hype at his parent club.
6. Solve the goalkeeper conundrum
While Garner remains on track for a long-lasting career at Old Trafford, Dean Henderson's is reaching a dead end. The goalkeeper, who was signed from Carlisle United as a 14-year-old, looked to have usurped David de Gea towards the end of 2021-22 but a year on, looks firmly second choice and has already proven himself out on loan in the Premier League in two seasons at Sheffield United.
With Carlisle earning £10,000 per game that Henderson plays, the Cumbrians have only profited three times this campaign, with De Gea enjoying a renaissance and limiting opportunities for his back-up. However, the Spaniard's recent omission from his national team squad reminded the Red Devils that De Gea is not everyone's cup of tea.
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Still uncomfortable and frequently inaccurate with the ball at his feet, his understudy demonstrated last term that he's better-suited to build-up play, a core principle of Ten Hag's Ajax. The boss even brought in 38-year-old goalkeeper Remko Pasveer on a free transfer last summer due to the veteran's ability to play out from the back.
With Henderson's lucrative contract running until 2025 and a World Cup on the horizon halfway through next season, the England hopeful might be given a last chance by Ten Hag thanks to his footwork. De Gea, in turn, would be dropped just months after winning what will surely be his fifth Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award. But who knows, maybe a fresh face will don the gloves?
7. Compete with Pep and Klopp
Last but absolutely not least, Ten Hag's true task is simple: compete with Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp. Undoubtedly the Premier League's era-defining managers, United have plucked one of the potential next great bosses, with the hope of him becoming as influential as the duo.
Guardiola's City and Klopp's Liverpool are now lightyears ahead of the 20-time English champions but their reign can't - and won't - go on forever. With Ten Hag at the helm, the Red Devils are embarking on a long-term fix, and while there may be bumps in the road, it's worth noting that it took Liverpool five years under Klopp on their quest for title number 19.
Refresh the club's infrastructure and Ten Hag could lead the way, but his appointment is just the first in a series of decisions that United will need to get right before getting their hands on a 21st league title.
