As a new era began at Manchester United on Monday, a lingering problem from the final days of Sir Alex Ferguson's trophy-laden tenure was casting a shadow over David Moyes's first official day in charge of the English champions.
Nearly two months after being hired as successor to Ferguson, Moyes was met by a row of photographers when he arrived at United's training ground to start his planning ahead of the new season.
Moyes has already put his stamp on the new role, bringing in three coaches from former club Everton to join his back-room staff, but it is the future of Wayne Rooney that will be the Scot's biggest priority this week.
Speculation over where the England striker will be playing next season has dominated the sports pages in British newspapers this summer – and will continue to do so until he sits down with Moyes and the pair decide where Rooney's future lies.
Rooney, who is not due in for the first day of training until Wednesday or Thursday, sat out the final matches of Ferguson's 26-year tenure after putting in a transfer request because he was frustrated at being left out of the starting line-up for some of United's most important matches last season, notably the Uefa Champions League last-16 second leg against Real Madrid.
Arsenal, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain have been heavily linked with the burly striker, even though Ferguson insisted before he ended his time at United that Rooney would not be leaving.
The situation is even more delicate because it was Moyes who sold Rooney to United back in 2004, when manager of Everton, and then launched successful legal action against the England international over allegations in Rooney's autobiography that the Scot leaked details of a private conversation to the media about the factors behind the move from Goodison Park.
The pair's relationship has improved since, but Moyes has to decide whether to persevere with a player who has tested the patience and loyalty of United fans after putting in two transfer requests in two years. If there is no official announcement regarding Rooney over the next week, the make-up of the United squad to tour the Far East from July 10 will make interesting reading.
Steve Round will be Moyes's assistant, replacing Mike Phelan, after being the Scot's No 2 at Everton since July 2008.
Former England international Chris Woods also arrives from Goodison to be goalkeeping coach and Jimmy Lumsden will be another coach on United's books.
"I have worked with Steve, Chris and Jimmy for a number of years and I am delighted they have decided to join me at this great club," Moyes said. "They bring great qualities in their respective fields and I know that, like me, they feel that this is a challenge to relish.
"I have great faith that, together, we can build upon the success this club has enjoyed over many years."
The Sunderland manager Paolo Di Canio has bolstered his squad ahead of the new Premier League season by signing three players.
Defenders Modibo Diakite and Valentin Roberge arrive on free transfers after their contracts at Italian side Lazio and Portuguese team Maritimo, respectively, expired.
Also signing a three-year deal is the Cape Verde midfielder Cabral, who joins from Swiss club Basle.
Cardiff City have completed the signing of Denmark international striker Andreas Cornelius, 20, from Copenhagen on a five-year deal.
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