No matter how much of a public front he puts on, Ruben Amorim will want Manchester United to support his rebuild as early as January. But with United testing the limits of financial rules, player sales will be crucial to any transfer activity, starting with exiled forward Marcus Rashford.
It's been easy to recognise which other players don't fit into the Portuguese head coach's future plans from his team selections since arriving last month.
Four first-team players, in particular, are clearly receiving a hint from Amorim that they should pursue a new challenge elsewhere if they want regular football.
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Victor Lindelof
The writing was on the wall for Victor Lindelof before Amorim's arrival. It's no secret that United are open to offers in January ahead of his contract expiry next summer.
Lindelof has featured in just three of the 39-year-old's squads against Viktoria Plzen, Manchester City and Tottenham.
The Swede was an unused substitute in Czechia, made a one-minute cameo in the derby win at City and was hooked at half-time in the Carabao Cup defeat against Spurs.
Amorim left him out of his 20-player squad again for Bournemouth's visit to Old Trafford on Sunday.
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Casemiro
Minutes have also been hard to come by for Casemiro, with Manuel Ugarte and Kobbie Mainoo clearly Amorim's first-choice midfield pairing.
Casemiro started his first two games in charge and against Viktoria Plzen but has been an unused substitute in four consecutive Premier League games.
The 32-year-old Brazilian also stayed on the bench at Spurs and will continue to suffer from a lack of game time while Ugarte cements his status.
A summer transfer is more likely for Casemiro, but his time at United is undoubtedly coming to a close.
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Christian Eriksen
Christian Eriksen, also 32, has played even more of a bit-part role since Amorim entered the hot seat.
The Danish playmaker
Antony
If Antony is to have any future at United, it'll be as a makeshift right- or left-wing-back, which likely won't produce the desired results for either party.
Erik ten Hag's dismissal was always going to aim a spotlight at his most expensive signing's inability to impress since his £86million arrival.
Antony has been primarily limited to substitute cameos under Amorim's watch and fumbled his chance for a rare start with a dire display at Spurs.
United are just going to have to cut their losses if a suitable offer lands at the club's doorstep.
started the 1-1 draw at Ipswich days after Amorim got started but hasn't played a single minute in seven of the eight games that followed.
He started against his former club, Tottenham, in the Carabao Cup, but his boss seems to prefer Mainoo or even Bruno Fernandes in a deeper role.
Eriksen is out of contract at the end of the season but could find an escape route next month.
Antony
If Antony is to have any future at United, it'll be as a makeshift right- or left-wing-back, which likely won't produce the desired results for either party.
Erik ten Hag's dismissal was always going to aim a spotlight at his most expensive signing's inability to impress since his £86million arrival.
Antony has been primarily limited to substitute cameos under Amorim's watch and fumbled his chance for a rare start with a dire display at Spurs.
United are just going to have to cut their losses if a suitable offer lands at the club's doorstep.
