As far as starts to a transfer window go, unexpectedly having one of your goalkeepers torn away isn't the best.
It's a brand new year and with it comes new opportunities for Manchester United. Erik ten Hag's improving side couldn't have enjoyed a much better return to action following the World Cup break. Three games. Three wins. Three clean sheets.
Though there are flashes, the attacking play is not as intricate or exciting as the Dutchman would like but going the other way United have become very resolute. The signing of a top-quality defensive midfielder in Casemiro has been crucial as it has meant the team remains watertight even with Luke Shaw at centre-back.
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United haven't conceded more than three shots on target in any of their games since the restart and it's those solid foundations that are allowing Ten Hag to build progress. It's been a long overdue transformation and the manager's next job will have to be addressing the lack of clinical edge going forward.
While Marcus Rashford is enjoying a roaring return to his best, his fellow forwards have been goal-shy this season and it could prove costly. A new striker is desperately needed in January.
Tottenham's continued implosion means United are back in the top four for the first time since March but the race is still hotting up. Newcastle and Arsenal's great starts to the campaign already look to have reduced the number of Champions League spots up for grabs while Chelsea and Liverpool cannot be counted out.
If United want to ensure they return to Europe's top competition and remain a viable destination for a high-calibre striker in the summer then they will have to do all they can to sign a quality stopgap to fire them there. It's United's biggest priority in January but not their only one.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka's revival has lessened the urgent need but a new right-back may still be on the agenda and now United unexpectedly could want to add another goalkeeper to their ranks.
That's because Newcastle opted to recall Martin Dubravka from his loan spell at Old Trafford on New Year's Day. Losing Dubravka isn't a particularly massive loss - he started just twice and didn't look brilliant, especially against Burnley - but it does mean there are now only two senior goalkeepers at the club.
Tom Heaton is a quality backup option to have so little to worry about there but it does see Nathan Bishop, who has yet to make his debut, move up to third choice. Modern managers like having the extra insurance of having three experienced goalkeepers on the books just in case of the rare but possible scenario of the other two being unavailable. Ten Hag clearly has a similar mindset given the signing of Dubravka in the first place.
So now United need to decide if they're going to bring in another this month. The club are yet to make the decision but they don't have an awful lot of time to do so. In January, possible options may well be at a premium as well.
United already have a difficult month as they look to capitalise on Ten Hag's excellent start and now they have another challenge to face.
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