Club football is back, and Manchester United fans are left with that familiar sinking feeling. Michael Carrick's side appeared to have secured three points on Saturday when Bryan Mbeumo scored, but a late Dominic Solanke equaliser meant the Reds still have just one Premier League win this season.
There is plenty to unpick from Saturday's draw, with questions coming in about United's start to the season, their injury woes and how Carrick solves a few problem positions.
Will the first-choice midfield be Baleba, Mainoo and Fernandes?
If Carrick were picking his strongest team with everyone fit and available, that trio would likely get the nod in midfield. It feels like it has the best balance.
Mainoo did very well as a No.6 in the absence of Baleba, but his partnership with Youri Tielemans did not carry enough bite. Saturday's showing against Tottenham was further proof that a Mainoo and Tielemans midfield lacks the physicality needed at the top level. Tielemans will get plenty of games, but Baleba can bring the energy and intensity United sometimes lacked in midfield.
As for Fernandes, he is undroppable as the No.10, which is a problem in itself. He is playing through the pain barrier at the moment, but it is not clear where and when he can get a rest.
Can Carrick play his pre-season line-up?
The difference here is the intensity in pre-season. United played opposition that were also going through the motions and looking to build match sharpness.
There are no points on offer in pre-season, and the pace and physicality in games are nowhere near the level you get in the Premier League.
Ayden Heaven looked good in pre-season but then struggled against Hull City and Brighton. Likewise, Andrey Santos, who formed an effective partnership with Mason Mount, has found the competitive action much tougher to make a mark on.
Can Baleba play at left-back?
This has been mentioned in some circles, but it is unlikely. He did play centre-back for Brighton on a couple of occasions and is left-footed, but he was signed as a midfielder and United need him in that position. He might have only played just over half an hour against Spurs, but there was enough on show to prove he will be needed in midfield.
Left-back could be a concern with Patrick Dorgu and Noussair Mazraoui picking up injuries during the international break, but Diogo Dalot can play there, and Lisandro Martinez and Ayden Heaven could also feature there in an emergency. They are all likely ahead of Baleba for that position.
When is Manuel Ugarte expected to be fit?
Not until much later in the season. He is back using the gym at Carrington after knee surgery in the summer, but the rehabilitation is a long road, and even then getting in a position to be match fit and capable of getting some minutes will take a while.
The target will be for Ugarte to be in action before the end of the season, but it might only be the last couple of weeks of the season.
What is happening with all the injuries?
Right now, it seems to be a case of bad luck more than anything else. The injuries are mounting, but there does not appear to be a common thread, and this is not like Erik ten Hag's second season, when a spate of players picked up muscle injuries during training sessions.
Benjamin Sesko has a complex shin injury, which is not easy to deal with, while Ugarte picked up a serious knee injury during the World Cup. Dorgu and Mazraoui both got injured during matches in the international break.
Will United finish in the top four?
If the answer were known, it would be a different story. It is still far too early to make any serious predictions, but right now it feels like a challenge. It is also very changeable due to the Manchester City case.
If City are handed a points deduction this season, it makes the top four - or top five - a much more attainable target. Chelsea and Tottenham have both had slow starts as well, so nobody is getting out of sight in that battle for Champions League football, which should ease the pressure on Carrick.
