Manchester United's impending busy summer of business has been widely documented. But they might also be about to address an area which they would prefer not to.
The club are expected to back their new permanent head coach – Michael Carrick or not – with at least two midfielders, a left-winger and a left-back.
But while Carrick is currently well-stocked at centre-back, a big problem is looming and there is a sense that United are about to take action.
Matthijs de Ligt, Harry Maguire (new contract pending), Leny Yoro, Lisandro Martinez and Ayden Heaven make up a sufficient centre-back department for the return of two games a week next season.
Worries about the severity of De Ligt's back problem, which has ruled him out for the past five months, rumble on. Maguire and Yoro provide alternative right-sided options, though.
Martinez's situation is a more pressing matter. There is no doubting that the Argentine is United's best centre-back when fully fit. Elite ball-playing, tenacity, aggression and strong leadership.
However, he is about to finish his fourth season as a Red Devils player and he has not surpassed 30 Premier League games in any of them.
Martinez is about to return from his latest lay-off, forcing him to miss five matches. But there is growing noise of United scouring the left-sided centre-back market and that can only be bad news for the 28-year-old.
Heaven, 19, is already showing signs of top-class potential. He has made 14 league appearances this season, the same total as Martinez.
If United were to go out and sign, say, Jarrad Branthwaite or Nico Schlotterbeck – two names linked with an Old Trafford switch in the past week – they would not be replacing Heaven.
The club's dream of a Premier League title in 2028 to mark its 150th anniversary in style is no secret. In order to achieve that audacious aim, they need players they can rely on.
When he is on the pitch, Martinez ticks that box. But he is not on the pitch enough.
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