Kobbie Mainoo has had a summer to forget. One which saw him become one of the most high-profile spare parts in footballing history.
Watching England's march to within a whisker of a World Cup final from the dug-out, without kicking a ball in anger. But as the sun begins to fade towards the arrival of autumn, things could be about to get even worse for the Manchester United midfielder.
In the coming weeks and months, Mainoo might well discover he is no longer the man for all seasons he appeared to become again, following the arrival of Michael Carrick as United manager.
Because the man who rescued him from the depths of despair at the start of 2026 and turned him into a footballer of some repute once again, has instructed his bosses to sign Carlos Baleba from Brighton.
