Over the course of this season, Woodward, Moyes and the club's chief scout Jim Lawlor, who has been at the club since 2005, identified the positions in which United need to strengthen and agreed several targets for each of those positions, a first choice, and an alternative or two in each position. United's need in certain positions – left-back, central midfield – is obvious, but the list is likely to have covered most areas of the team, given the general perception United need at least four signings to lift the standard to the level of their rivals. Woodward has been flying around Europe and beyond in recent months, trying to sign players from that list, and will continue to do so in Moyes' absence.