Manchester United are doing the same thing in the transfer window with some targets

The one-year contract Tom Heaton has agreed takes care of some additional business for Manchester United, who will not require a veteran goalkeeper.

Elite clubs now favour recognisable back-ups 'keepers and unless Altay Bayindir agitates for a change of scenery, United have an established trio.

Identifying a reserve custodian would hardly have been taxing. Bayindir was something of an afterthought and arrived so late last summer that Dean Henderson was a substitute in United's first three fixtures.

If United are building their squad from the back, the goalkeepers are boxed off. In defence, there have to be three out (Raphael Varane, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Victor Lindelof) and three in, if United are a credible club in the market.

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There are sellable assets and must-sells in midfield (Casemiro, Christian Eriksen, Donny van de Beek and Hannibal Mejbri) and attack (Facundo Pellistri, Jadon Sancho and Mason Greenwood). Marcus Rashford has to decide whether he wants to turn the page or close the book on his United career.

Tyrell Malacia and Antony are both practically unsellable. Malacia has not played in over a year and the ludicrous £81.3million up-front fee United paid for Antony prohibits a sale. Going off the accounting practice of amortisation, United would have to sell for £48.78m. Antony scraped three goals last season and is in exile from the Brazil squad.

Malacia and Antony are, crucially, Ten Hag's signings and played in the Eredivisie. Even with a new technical director, an inaugural sporting director and an incoming chief executive, United continue to target Dutchmen.

After Ajax had conquered