The majority of Manchester United supporters have been left desperately disappointed by the club's lack of activity in the January transfer window.
While United should be praised for the amount of outgoings that have been sanctioned in such a short space of time, there was an expectation that at least one new face would be brought into the club in the mid-season window.
Ralf Rangnick has made plenty of changes since arriving at Old Trafford, though the German has so far been unable to address United's lack of control in midfield - a plight which looks set to continue having failed to sign a midfielder in January.
Not only have the club failed to sign an elite-level number six this month, they've also potentially caused themselves even more problems.
Two significant departures in the shape of Anthony Martial and Donny van de Beek have reduced the options available to Rangnick.
Martial definitely needed to secure a move because he simply wasn't getting the minutes needed to rebuild confidence and get his career back on track.
The Frenchman’s loan move to Sevilla is undoubtedly a good switch for him but it could leave United a little short in the striker department.
Edinson Cavani has had a number of injury problems since moving to Old Trafford. The Uruguayan's impact at the club has been immense but he's definitely not a player who you can guarantee will be available for a selection every week.
Cristiano Ronaldo will turn 37 in February and it would be naive to think it’s impossible for him to never pick up an injury, while Marcus Rashford's patchy form means it would be unwise to have to rely on the England international to score the goals needed to secure a place in the top four.
United have left themselves in a very similar situation in midfield following Van de Beek's Everton switch.
Should Bruno Fernandes or Jesse Lingard pick up an injury or suffer a dup in form, United will be reliant on youngsters like Hannibal Mejbri and asking a 19-year-old to carry the Champions League hopes of a club like United could be far too much to ask.
Even backup option Lingard would potentially struggle to step in should Fernandes pick up an injury. The England international has barely had a chance in the first team of late and so it would be a tall order for him to make an immediate impact.
There are still plenty of fixtures left to play this season and so United could yet make a success of what had looked like being an underwhelming campaign.
Rangnick still has a relatively big squad at his disposal but the failure to address areas of weakness along with the departures of the likes of Martial and Van de Beek could come back to haunt United.
Could United's transfer policy cost them a Champions League spot? Follow our United On My Mind writer Omar Garrick on Twitter to get involved in the discussion and give us your thoughts on the matter in the comments section below.
