COMMENT: The will he, won't he saga of David de Gea may've sucked the oxygen from all other issues at Manchester United, but in the background, like a dark cloud, is Louis van Gaal's right-back dilemma.
Today's news that Rafael da Silva is up for sale comes just a week after Saidy Janko's surprise move to Celtic.
That's two right-backs potentially gone from Old Trafford - and after a season where Van Gaal relied heavily on Antonio Valencia in a make-shift role. The Ecuador winger, at times, was excellent in the position. But United will be no title challengers if he is their first-choice right-back.
That's not to say Van Gaal has been ignoring the issue. De Gea and Real Madrid may be dominating the headlines, but dig deeper and there's plenty swirling around United's search for a new right-back - if not two.
Everton's flyer Seamus Coleman is the obvious one. A signing endorsed by Manchester United's Irish greats Denis Irwin and Paul McGrath. But any move before United head for the 'States next week is unlikely. Tribalfootball.com has been told Roberto Martinez, the Everton manager, won't countenance any such deal without Coleman's replacement already running around at Finch Farm. Leeds United's stubbornness over Sam Byram is emerging as the major stumbling block.
A bid for Torino fullback Matteo Darmian was lodged - and rejected - last week. Toro president Urbano Cairo confirmed as much yesterday. In Holland, they're saying Gregory van der Wiel, of PSG, is under consideration - along with Newcastle United defender Daryl Janmaat.
So the net is being cast.
In Brazil, they've been expecting today's news regarding Rafael since the New Year. There's a real hope the 24 year-old (yeah, he's still only 24!) can be tempted home. Corinthians, Cruzeiro and Sao Paulo have all been in regular contact with Rafael's representatives about a loan move to the Brasileirao next season. Flamengo, meanwhile, have gone further, expressing interest in signing Rafael outright.
"It's something we've explored and are evaluating," Fla vice-president Alexandre Wrobel stated.
But the great twist in this saga is the sale of Janko.
Yes, the young Swiss had a difficult loan with Bolton Wanderers last season, but he was regularly name-checked by ex-players as one to watch.
No less than Paul Scholes tipped Janko to make it at Old Trafford: "Saidy has been fantastic since he came in and looks a bright prospect for the future. Hopefully he's on his way to the first team."
Bringing through Janko to challenge and eventually succeed Rafael seemed a logical step. But the 19 year-old is gone, with Rafael soon to follow.
Making the Janko decision all the more baffling is there isn't any outstanding right-backs in the system at Carrington. Indeed, Warren Joyce, the U21 manager, had to rope in Andy Kellett from Bolton simply to boost numbers last season.
But there is a wild card - and at 22 he is ready to make a serious first team pitch. Last season, Guillermo Varela spent the year on-loan with the Real Madrid Castilla. Under Zinedine Zidane, the Uruguayan was an ever-present and one of the outstanding performers in the Segunda Division B. It's not the Primera, not even the Championship, but Varela would've been kept on if the Castilla had managed promotion. However, another year in the Spanish Third Division was too much to ask at this stage in his career.
With Janko gone and Rafael on his way, Varela can attack this preseason with the genuine belief he can begin the campaign as a Van Gaal first-choice.
Further back, Tribalfootball.com has been told - insistently - for the past six-to-eight months that Valenciennes' 18 year-old fullback Angelo Fulgini is being watched by United's French scouts. This was further confirmed just last week, with United's pursuit of VA teammate Dayot Upamecano including an enquiry about Fulgini's availability.
Barcelona are also in touch, but this summer's transfer ban is working against their technical chief Ariedo Braida, who has been trying to land Fulgini since his time in charge of AC Milan. If United want the teen, now is the time to move.
Which could be said for the entire market campaign. Memphis Depay apart, there's been little movement seen at Old Trafford.
If United are to be title challengers, there's plenty of problems that need to be addressed - including solving their right-back dilemma.
- Thanks to @Fennelly_MUFC and @ManU20Scholesy for the topic suggestion.