Manchester United’s lack of firepower up front was laid bare on Sunday with Ruben Amorim picking Kobbie Mainoo to start as a false nine against Crystal Palace on Sunday.
The move did not pan out but it was a clear message to INEOS that the options at his disposal are simply not good enough.
Joshua Zirkzee, signed in the summer for £36.5 million, has managed one goal in the last 16 games while £72 million signing Rasmus Hojlund has not netted in the last 13 matches.
Despite the poor form of the duo, the co-owners sanctioned Marcus Rashford’s loan departure to Aston Villa while Antony and academy wonderkid Ethan Wheatley also departed on a temporary basis.
Lack of firepower up top
With only Amad and Alejandro Garnacho left along with the two misfiring strikers, it seemed like a no-brainer that INEOS would try and bring someone in on deadline day.
But Mathys Tel of Bayern Munich is headed to Tottenham Hotspur instead with the Red Devils failing to pay a loan fee for the Frenchman.
Both Leon Bailey of Aston Villa and Chelsea’s Christopher Nkunku were named as surprise targets but both clubs did not entertain United’s late loan requests.
Panic set in soon enough with lots of names doing the rounds including Juventus ace Dusan Vlahovic but ultimately, the club decided not to bring anyone in, content with signing young centre-back Ayden Heaven and wingback Patrick Dorgu.
And according to The Manchester Evening News, Amorim and club officials are happy with the business conducted and are not thinking too much about the lack of firepower up front.
They feel a striker can be signed in the summer and a stop-gap solution would not have made sense amid INEOS’ plans of reducing the club’s bloated wage bill.
“Manchester United have prioritised summer spending amid their decision not to recruit a goalscorer in the winter transfer window, with a new forward set to be targeted in the close season.
“United do not expect any more incomings before tonight’s 11pm transfer deadline Working within the financial constraints had a major bearing on United’s activity and the club is continuing to examine options to reduce costs to raise revenues.
Amorim “happy” with lack of strikers
“Senior club sources insist the hierarchy and coach Ruben Amorim are pleased with United’s winter business, with Paraguayan left back Diego Leon due to arrive in the summer after he has turned 18.”
The 20-time English league champions are languishing in 13th place in the Premier League and INEOS feel it is okay to focus on the summer instead of trying to improve immediately.
It almost seems like they are treating the current season as a write-off despite the club still being in the FA Cup and qualifying for the Europa League Round of 16.
Amorim has been given a mountain to climb and another dismal six months awaits for fans. “We are going to suffer,” the coach had said a while back. It sounds quite apt at the moment.
Feature image Michael Regan via Getty Images
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Ayantan Chowdhury
Ayantan has worked for 10 years in the Indian sports media industry, writing for the biggest newspapers and websites but his heart was always set on writing about his favourite club. Currently an editor at The Peoples Person. You can follow him on X: @ayantanc_25
