Viewing three defeats in four matches as a stuttering start or red flag probably depends on your mindset watching Manchester United get down to business.
No matter what side of the fence you sit on, though, there is cause for concern for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
That’s not to jump on the needless social media bandwagon after one below-par Premier League display, but when all is said and done this is finally a United squad that has been built within Solskjaer’s own framework.
A move four years in the making, Jadon Sancho is a United player after rubber-stamping his £72.9million switch.
He was followed through those same doors by Raphael Varane and five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo – and you don’t need to be a football expert to understand how impressive that triple statement of intent was during the summer transfer window.
However, such is the way, demands for instant success have drummed up two ‘problems’ for Solskjaer to solve.
As luck – rather than judgement – would have it, the Norwegian has an ‘unlikely’ saviour at his disposal.
Cast aside by Solskjaer last season, academy graduate Jesse Lingard was loaned out to West Ham in January and made his mark in the fullest sense of the word, scoring nine goals and providing five assists as the Hammers went on to book a deserved place in Europe.
It wasn’t quite enough for him to make it to Euro 2020, but Lingard is firmly back in the England picture.
That he scored an important goal against the Londoners earlier this month was a clear sign of footballing irony at work, but are United ready to provide a further example of that?
For all his quality, intelligence and positive impact on the United dressing room, there is enough evidence to hint – at the very least – that Solskjaer does not view Lingard as a long-term option.
However, in order to help United through this latest sticky patch, there might be no better solution.
Although you would expect him to come good eventually, Sancho has struggled upon his marquee arrival, while a hugely successful window was bookmarked by the club’s ‘failure’ to add that vital defensive midfield piece to their ever-changing jigsaw. Declan Rice, where are you?
Indeed, a source of frustration for supporters this season has been Solskjaer’s continued faith in McFred – the name given to his preferred double-pivot; Scott McTominay and Fred.
The answer? It’s still Lingard.
(Image: Alex Livesey – Danehouse/Getty Images)
Certainly, until Marcus Rashford is fit and firing once again, the inclusion of Lingard on the left flank would allow Sancho time to settle into his new surroundings – without the added pressure of having to perform week-in, week-out on the biggest stage.
In turn, that would free Paul Pogba up to replace one half of United’s engine room.
Should Lingard be afforded more game time? Have your say in the comments section below.
Of course, against bigger teams and those that pose a greater threat, the World Cup winner would have to resist those natural urges and be a little more disciplined in such a crucial position – especially with McTominay and Fred being unable to hold down the fort with any conviction on their own.
However, that is ultimately why Varane was brought in, offering added quality at centre-back so United could get and stay on the front foot, instead deploying another one of their mouth-watering attacking weapons.
In that sense, attack might just be the best form of defence – and if you need someone to come out swinging, you simply can’t look further than Lingard.
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