It's only 14 months since Manchester United were attempting to operate without any kind of football structure in place at Carrington, beyond an underqualified manager in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and an executive vice-chairman who enjoyed the power a little too much.
The idea of appointing a football director was first mooted in August 2018, but John Murtough wasn't formally appointed until March 2021, with Darren Fletcher named technical director at the same time.
Now Andy O'Boyle has been installed as Murtough's deputy and United have a structure in place that is beginning to mirror the kind of set-up found at the elite clubs they are attempting to rejoin.
READ MORE: United confirm new deputy football director
For so long United enjoyed success with a manager who ran the club, in Sir Alex Ferguson, but when the Scot retired the approach to the game was changing. At Old Trafford they've been slow to catch up, but that process is now gathering pace.
The appointment of O'Boyle is more vindication for the power Murtough is being handed as the man to run that football department.
It was noticeable in the press release confirming the appointment of the 39-year-old that Murtough referred to him being a "valuable addition to my team at Carrington".
But just as crucially, Murtough also touched on O'Boyle's experience in different areas of the game, having previously worked as an academy coach at United, been a fitness coach at Liverpool under Jurgen Klopp, and most recently the head of elite performance at the Premier League, a role once held by Murtough.
“Andy has experience across all technical areas of football, from fitness and sports science to scouting and recruitment," said Murtough.
“This will make him a valuable addition to my team at Carrington as we continue to strengthen leadership and strategic planning across all our football activities."
This appointment might be good news for Murtough, but with great power comes great responsibility. He is now in charge of recruitment at United and has been given the time to focus on strengthening the first-team squad to the specifications of Erik ten Hag.
When Murtough was appointed last year, United said in their statement that he would work with Solskjaer to "align recruitment and other strategies", but with O'Boyle now able to take some of that workload, Murtough's job is likely to live or die by his recruitment.
Having been at United for nine years, Murtough has earned plaudits for his work in building the women's team and strengthening operations at the academy, but his remit has now narrowed.
United have made it clear he will be in charge of transfer operations this summer, with Ten Hag having a significant say, and the relationship those two create is going to be key. A major part of Ten Hag's success with Ajax was that he worked so well with his director of football, Marc Overmars.
It's already shaping up to be a busy summer at Old Trafford. A successful transfer window would probably constitute at least five signings, but having missed out on the Champions League that will have to be achieved on a reduced budget. Raising cash from player sales will also be a vital part of Murtough's remit.
The football director's hand has been strengthened since the appointment of Richard Arnold as chief executive in February. Arnold has empowered department heads, such as Murtough, and unlike his predecessor, in Woodward, he accepts his area of expertise isn't in running the football operations at the club.
Murtough's first big decision was encouraging the pursuit of Ralf Rangnick as interim manager. It was an inauspicious start and the decision to scrap the German's consultancy role was entirely predictable.
The appointment of Ten Hag - also championed by Murtough - looks a better decision. Now the football director has to prove he has the skills to guide United in the transfer market.
Sign up to our United newsletter so you never miss an update from Old Trafford this season.
