The summer transfer window opened on Wednesday but Manchester United and Erik ten Hag had been laying the foundations long before.
United enjoyed a successful first campaign under the Dutchman, winning the Carabao Cup before securing a top-four finish and a place in next season's Champions League.
But rather than the summit, those achievements should merely be the beginning. Ten Hag will oversee a summer of major investment as he builds a squad fit to compete for both domestic and European honours - including a Premier League title push.
Who will sign the cheques remains to be seen, with the takeover process still dragging on and both Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Sheikh Jassim waiting with bated breath. ALSO READ: United's 2023-24 Premier League fixture list released in full But Ten Hag has little time to mull over those finer details.