Manchester United are missing a player Erik ten Hag knew they would

Having found the back of the net in four successive games, Manchester United's recent dry spell in front of goal now feels like a distant memory.

United went three Premier League games in a row without scoring either side of Christmas, blanking against Bournemouth, Wolves and Newcastle United. Ruben Amorim's side halted that trend by scoring twice at Anfield in a 2-2 draw with Liverpool, courtesy of efforts from Lisandro Martinez and Amad.

But despite scoring in each of their last four matches, they have only found a way to win once within 90 minutes, inspired by Amad's late heroics in the 3-1 win over Southampton at Old Trafford. That treble took the tally of goals United have scored under Amorim to 23, with Bruno Fernandes making it 24 with his first half penalty in Sunday's defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion.

Amad has netted a quarter of the goals United have scored since the Portuguese chief took charge. In total, eight different players have scored for United since Amorim took over but when you take into account that Lisandro Martinez and Jonny Evans are on the list, it highlights the midfield as an issue. United have not scored a goal via an out-and-out central midfielder since Amorim was appointed, given Bruno Fernandes is operating as a number 10.

Manuel Ugarte and Kobbie Mainoo have established themselves as Amorim's first-choice midfielders, forming a developing partnership, but neither have scored this season.

With United becoming increasingly reliant on Amad and Fernandes for goals amid Rasmus Hojlund's dry spell and Joshua Zirkzee not being an out-and-out No.9, United's decision to sell Scott McTominay last summer has not aged particularly well. United cashed-in on the Scot on deadline day, sanctioning a