Ralf Rangnick gamble highlights another clear transfer priority for Manchester United

It was an experiment consigned to the 'dustbin' after seven minutes, but that was enough time for Ralf Rangnick and Manchester United to offer clear indication as to where one of their transfer priorities lay.

No matter how this season has unfolded, key figures in the Old Trafford boardroom were, for once, due credit last summer when they issued a triple statement of intent.

Jadon Sancho, Raphael Varane and Cristiano Ronaldo marks a staggering window for any club on the planet.

At first glance, it was comparable to the work done by Paris Saint-Germain with Lionel Messi among those rocking up at the Parc des Princes.

However, while the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner followed Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, jet-heeled right-back Achraf Hakimi, Nuno Mendes, Sergio Ramos and Gini Wijnaldium, that 'cover all bases' approach was not replicated at Old Trafford - and it proved rather costly.

Before his sacking, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was understood to be frustrated by the club's failure to land a top defensive midfielder and that position remains THE elephant in the room.

Given how much United had spent on Sancho in particular, signing Declan Rice for £100million-plus was always going to prove difficult during the same window and, as such, there are plans to readdress that situation.

It proved too late for Solskjaer to continue his building process, and whoever steps into the dugout to replace him permanently will reap the benefits of previous business.

Kieran Trippier was the other man that got away last summer.

In that case, it was not merely the cost, more how much value he would represent at 31 for £25million.

Fast forward seven months and, in reality, the answer is quite a lot.

Resisting any temptation to revisit