We are soon going to learn which players Erik ten Hag has the most confidence in during a week that might have a significant impact on Manchester United's performance this season. Their own shortcomings were made clear in a goalless draw with Newcastle at the weekend, even if much of the post-match narrative was directed at the referee, rather than admitting their own role in the dropped points.
Ten Hag's side were outplayed in the first half and were lucky to go in level after clear Newcastle dominance. There was a marked improvement after the break, but even on the rare occasions when they did create something, they were extremely wasteful in front of goal.
In a late effort to try and change the outcome of the match, Marcus Rashford was brought on to replace Cristiano Ronaldo, and in fairness to him, he made an immediate impact, though he missed the two key chances that fell his way.
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It was so nearly the second time in the space of four days that Ten Hag's changes altered the final score, though there was a reluctance to take more risks with Rashford the only one of five permitted substitutes used on the day.
Most of those named on the bench at the weekend never looked like coming on, and it was telling that - despite a poor performance in which they were short of ideas - the Dutchman only made one change rather than gamble on an unproven youngster to influence the game.
The absence of Anthony Martial, Christian Eriksen and Scott McTominay certainly limited the viable options for Ten Hag on the day, but after all the money they have spent, there is little sympathy for the manager if he complains about the lack of depth available to him, even if it is quite clear that he doesn't yet trust all of the players.
That isn't entirely on him, though. It is only further evidence of how early on in his rebuild we are and how long there is to go before he has a full squad of players that fit into his idealistic vision for the future.
What is troubling, though, is that United won't be backing Ten Hag with as much money as he had this summer every year and that before they endorse further player purchases, they will at least want him to fully explore the options already at his disposal.
When he was handed the job earlier in the year, the United hierarchy made it clear to the Dutch manager that as well as signing new players, he would also be required to get the most out of underperforming stars already at the club.
That has certainly worked to a degree already in regards to Martial and Rashford's rejuvenated form up front, but there is still work to be done in order to make more out of the peripheral figures yet to feature properly this season.
"We have to make it our game, so we need the best from everyone: the 11 players on the pitch but also on the bench that can make a difference," Ten Hag has warned ahead of facing Tottenham in midweek.
The expected return of Eriksen and McTominay to the squad, if not the starting line-up, means there will be greater strength in depth to call upon on Wednesday night, but the onus will be on Ten Hag to be even braver with his changes.
He might not trust all of those reserve options currently at his disposal, though it seems likely he will need to put his faith in them sooner rather than later.
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