If there has been one unanimous success of Erik ten Hag's reign so far, it is his signings. The Manchester United manager fought hard for significant backing in his first transfer window and got what he wanted with a record level of investment.
United had never exceeded the £150million mark on permanent signings across a single window before Ten Hag arrived. This past summer they spent a staggering £225.4million on five players across one window, though that was offset significantly by the amount of big earners who left for free at the end of last season.
Given that United view themselves further ahead in their rebuilding plans than they had envisaged at this stage, Ten Hag has already been warned that he won't have as much to spend in the transfer market next year.
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It is totally understandable from United's point of view - though that doesn't mean Ten Hag agrees. The Dutchman is keen for a further overhaul of his squad, not just with a couple of new starters, but with a significant improvement in his bench options too.
In order to do that, the United manager will not only need to make every penny count next summer, but he will also need to raise funds elsewhere by moving on a plethora of players still stranded on the periphery.
There are certainly lots of those around, in particular eight players who could net United roughly £90m in transfer income if they were all sold at the end of the season.
At the top of the list is Dean Henderson. The goalkeeper is currently out on loan at Nottingham Forest but could finally be sold at the end of the season given he does not appear to be part of Ten Hag's plans. United are themselves looking at signing a new long-term option in goal, and that could be partly financed by selling the 25-year-old for a fee in the region of £30million.
United's desire for a new right back could also be financed in part by finding a buyer for Aaron Wan-Bissaka. They were open to selling him during the past summer, but no appropriate offers came in. There is no way United would get anywhere close to the £50m they paid for him, but they might be able to claim back as much as £15m.
It would likely take a similar fee in the region of £15m to sign Donny van de Beek at the end of the season, given his problems at the club. The Dutchman has struggled under three different managerial regimes now and looks in need of a clean break in order to revitalise his career.
United have already agreed a £5m fee with Marseille to make Eric Bailly's loan move permanent at the end of the season, though that looks unlikely to happen given it relies on him making a set number of appearances, as well as the French club qualifying for the Champions League.
They could probably charge a similar amount for Sevilla full-back Alex Telles next summer, but if he enjoys a good spell with Sevilla then they might even be able to get closer to the £10m mark.
It would likely be the same for fellow full-back Brandon Williams. He doesn't look like he'll force his way back into the United side under Ten Hag, but he could still be a decent option for a Premier League or Championship side next summer. Given his top-flight experience, they might be able to get somewhere in the region of £10m for his services.
Then there are Phil Jones and Axel Tuanzebe. The two centre-backs are out of contract at the end of the season, but United have the option of triggering an additional year in order to protect their value.
It makes most sense to let them both leave for free, though if a buyer is found, a nominal fee in the region of the low millions could probably be charged in order to complete a deal.
Of course, it is far easier said than done to actually shift players on to other clubs, particularly when they have hardly featured for United in recent memory, but there is certainly a lot of talent that could shine elsewhere if given the chance.
United can't keep investing huge sums of money without recouping it from elsewhere and next summer their spending power could be significantly enhanced by finally shifting their deadwood.
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