Brighton beach is an idyllic 'staycation' and several Manchester United players seemed to have their minds on it at the Amex Stadium.
Some left the stadium separately - although security staff in the tunnel were only discussing Cristiano Ronaldo's exit strategy - and headed abroad. Others have had all the get-up of a sunbather in their deckchair this season.
Staff at United who were pitchside for the FA Youth Cup celebrations spoke of drawing a line under the season even with one fixture remaining. Now Erik ten Hag is speaking as the United manager, supporters must hope there is some reaction from the players.
READ MORE: Newcastle still interested in Henderson
Ralf Rangnick recommended open-heart surgery, although there would have to be a heart. This bloated United squad has flatlined and the player turnover has to be high.
Before United players embark on their summer holidays or report for international duty, Ten Hag has to provide some players with clarity. Six contracts are scheduled to be shredded once they expire on June 30 but there is a long queue of players uncertain whether to call the estate agents.
Dean Henderson, Eric Bailly, Phil Jones, Axel Tuanzebe, Brandon Williams, Andreas Pereira, Donny van de Beek, Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford face uncertain futures. It is feasible United could start next season without one or both of their best players this season, should Ten Hag decide David de Gea has stood still while other goalkeepers have developed or Ronaldo, on the Mottram Hall golf course with a Real Madrid cheerleader on Sunday, changes clubs.
In a season of European football on Thursday nights, a 25-man squad of seniors (excluding the third-choice goalkeeper) is essential, with allowances for permanent breakthroughs from the academy. Louis van Gaal took over United with no European competition and his squad photo featured 27 players but eight did not break double figures for starts or did not play at all.
The first Dutch United manager who was revered at Ajax, Van Gaal was backed with six signings in his first summer. United need that amount - minimum - if Ten Hag is to impose himself on the squad and ease their identity crisis. United historically target three incomings.
In goal, Henderson will seek a transfer if he is not promoted to No.1. United value him at £40million but a loan is likelier in a summer market where there is little demand for a long-term goalkeeper. Newcastle remain interested and have deep pockets.
The De Gea-Henderson dynamic, unhealthily sustained for two years through Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's indecisive management, has to end, so a back-up goalkeeper may be among the incomings. Tom Heaton considers himself worthy of second-choice but is set to assume the Lee Grant role.
United want a centre-back, with Pau Torres still admired and Ten Hag all but endorsed a move for Jurrien Timber of Ajax. United held exploratory meetings with Antonio Rudiger's representatives that only succeeded in raising his salary offer from Real Madrid. It is not the first time United have been used as a bargaining chip.
Eric Bailly and Phil Jones intend to leave and Axel Tuanzebe's miserable loan spells with Aston Villa and Napoli could leave him with no way back.
United urgently need an upgrade at full-back but have little leverage. They already have four senior full-backs, two on loan (Ethan Laird and Brandon Williams) and two teenage prospects recruited from Real Madrid and Barcelona (Alvaro Fernandez and Marc Jurado). Realistically, United have to sell to buy.
Defensive midfield is the priority and United would prefer another midfield recruit to offset the imminent departures of Nemanja Matic and Paul Pogba. Donny van de Beek and James Garner are due to return from contrasting loans and if Nottingham Forest end their 23-year exile from the top flight then a conversation is expected as to whether Garner stays for a season of regular Premier League football.
Four of the out-of-contract six are attack-minded, Mason Greenwood is unavailable indefinitely and Martial an irrelevant wantaway. Rashford has played his hand badly, scoring one goal as a starter all season and casting doubt on his future with the wounds still raw from the Manchester derby thrashing in March.
Selling both is improbable. Martial is the more rounded player but two years older, his form worse over a longer period and he has one foot out of the door already. Four years after siding with Martial over Jose Mourinho and eroding the United manager's authority, it is time to empower the manager again.
It would be remiss of United to settle for one attacking addition when Rangnick has advised two fluid forwards with a similar profile to Erling Haaland. United require long-term goalscorers to ease the burden on Ronaldo and the pressure on the overplayed Anthony Elanga. Jadon Sancho has had a poor first season but should benefit from better coaching.
Possible United core squad 2022-23
David De Gea, new back-up goalkeeper , Tom Heaton
Diogo Dalot, Aaron Wan-Bissaka/ new full-back , new centre-back , Raphael Varane, Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof, Teden Mengi, Alex Telles, Luke Shaw
New defensive midfielder , new midfielder , Scott McTominay, Fred, James Garner, Donny van de Beek
New forward , new forward , Cristiano Ronaldo, Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford, Anthony Elanga, Bruno Fernandes, Hannibal Mejbri
Breakthrough youngsters: Ethan Laird, Alvaro Fernandez, Alejandro Garnacho
