After a torrid debut campaign, you would not blame Donny van de Beek for wanting to start afresh.
The Dutchman's £40million arrival from Ajax last summer left Manchester United fans salivating over the prospect of Van de Beek - one of Europe's most coveted talents - linking up with talisman Bruno Fernandes.
However, just 15 starts from 61 games paints a dismal picture for the 24-year-old, with fans more accustomed to seeing the midfielder cutting a dejected figure on the bench, rather than playing on the Old Trafford turf.
In an age where footballers are expected to hit the ground running, Van de Beek can take solace in the fact that a handful of Premier League newbies have struggled to get going in England, with the likes of Timo Werner, Kai Havertz and Thiago all encountering difficulties after big-money moves.
But make no mistake, it has not been the start Van de Beek had hoped for, and perennial rejections from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer became too much for his adviser, Sjaak Swart, who launched a scathing attack on those overlooking the Dutchman.
'A substitute? I don't like it at all. I couldn't do it myself, substituting in with four minutes left to play. Then you'd better let me sit down,' he said.
Those comments saw United legend Patrice Evra hit back, live on Sky Sports. The Frenchman gave his own advice to the adviser, namely, to 'shut his mouth', before claiming United 'do not need' the Dutchman.
Mark Hughes also suggested that Van de Beek looked 'lost' during his rare appearances for the Red Devils.
For Edwin van der Sar, the former Ajax star's predicament was a 'sad' state of affairs.
'Of course I feel sad for Donny,' the former United goalkeeper told ESPN.
'He walked the perfect path before joining United. He joined the [Ajax] first team from the academy, became a starter, won trophies, performed in Europe.
'But the midfield of Manchester United is too stacked, they've not had any injuries. It's hard for him.'
Van der Sar's reflection is a fair analysis, with the likes of Fernandes, Paul Pogba, Scott McTominay, Fred and Nemanja Matic all ahead of Van de Beek in the pecking order.
Moreover, Van de Beek's tactical flexibility - in which he can play in a deep lying midfield role, attacking midfield and on the left - has left Solskjaer unsure as to which position suits the Dutchman best.
However, the tide is showing signs of turning for the 24-year-old.
As reported by Sportsmail earlier this week, United are under pressure to sell Pogba this summer, with agent Mino Raiola holding talks with Paris Saint-Germain on the Frenchman's behalf.
The 28-year-old has one year left on his £290,000-per-week deal, and has not given any indication of an intention to stick around at Old Trafford.
United have six weeks to decide whether to keep Pogba for the 2021-22 campaign and thereby risk losing him on a free next summer, or cash in on the Frenchman, whose agent has long hinted at his client's unhappiness at Old Trafford.
PSG, one of the few clubs in Europe who could afford his salary, think they can persuade United to sell for around £43m although it's believed there has been no contact between the two clubs yet.
There is also likely to be interest from Spain and Italy for Pogba who has repeatedly flirted with Real Madrid.
Pogba's exit would certainly free up space for Van de Beek to force his way into Solskjaer's first-team plans, particularly if the Norwegian makes tweaks to his system.
Solskjaer is blessed with one of the best attacks in the league, with Marcus Rashford, Mason Greenwood, Edinson Cavani and Fernandes have formed a fearsome attacking quartet. Only Manchester City (83) scored more than United's 73 goals last season.
Yet according to the Manchester Evening News, the Norwegian could really let the handbrake off this season, with the United boss trialling a 4-3-3 system in pre-season training.
That formation would see one of the defensive midfielders sacrificed, with two box-to-box midfielders either side of a No 6. One of those positions would surely be filled by Fernandes, but Van de Beek would be ready-made to slot into the other No 8 role, especially if Pogba leaves the club.
The outlook certainly looks far rosier for Van de Beek, but circumstances can only be seized upon if a player is willing to fight for his place. After his chastening 12 months at Old Trafford, it is not unreasonable to expect the Dutchman's head to be elsewhere.
However, Van de Beek remains hungrier than ever to prove his worth at United.
Spanish publication SPORT claim the United midfielder was 'offered' to Barca with the LaLiga club considering sending Samuel Umtiti in the opposite direction.
But the MEN claim Van de Beek wants to stay and nail down a starting spot at United, snubbing sunny Spain for the north west.
Sources close to the player told the publication that the midfielder is 'fit, fresh and ready for the challenge' as he works his way back to fitness.
Van de Beek has had the summer to recharge his batteries, having missed Euro 2020 after pulling out of the Holland squad with a groin injury, and will join up with the squad for pre-season under the watchful eye of Solskjaer next week.
The Dutchman is one year into a five-year deal and appears to be ignoring all the outside noise and thinking long term, with his best years ahead of him.
For Solskjaer, Van de Beek's struggles is a position he knows all too well, having been cast as the perennial substitute when he was a player at United.
'I wouldn't say that Donny is happy,' Solskjaer said in January. 'Of course, he wants to play more, but he gets about his job in the right manner.
'We are doing well and have got players who are playing really well in his position.
'He reminds me a lot about myself, when I first came in, that he understands my difficulties and challenges.
'I was the same with Sir Alex [Ferguson]. When he left me out I understood and I was happy for the team to win – and Donny is that type of guy.
'He knows he is important for us and knows he is going to play many games.'
Van de Beek will hope that his patience has paid off. Now is the time for the Dutchman to seize the spot many United fans had expected would be his 12 months ago.