Sir Jim Ratcliffe has given up on Manchester United's season - and only one thing can salvage it
Manchester United allowed two forwards to leave in the January transfer window and didn't strengthen their attacking options. United did sign Ayden Heaven on a permanent transfer from Arsenal and they might need an intervention from God to save their miserable season.
Whatever way you look at it, United are objectively weaker in attack than they were at the start of the window. Marcus Rashford wasn't playing after a breakdown with Ruben Amorim and Antony is Antony, but the bottom line is, two forwards left the club and none were signed.
Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee have scored 11 goals between them in all competitions this season and Amorim resorted to playing Kobbie Mainoo up front against Crystal Palace.
Speaking before that game, Amorim explained he wanted to "try different things", and it wasn't a surprise to see the team with a striker who can score claim a 2-0 win at Old Trafford.
The in-form Jean-Philippe Mateta netted a brace and he has two more goals than Hojlund and Zirkzee combined this term. Yes, really. The Crystal Palace striker who dances to 'Boom, Boom, Boom' by the Vengaboys when he scores has more goals than United's strikers, who cost in excess of £100million.
United need to create more chances for the remainder of the season, but Hojlund and Zirkzee must become more clinical because they currently look out of their depth at Old Trafford.
Over 2,500 fans responded to my survey on X about United's business in the January window and 74 per cent said they were disappointed, while 20 per cent said they were content.
The biggest gripe of supporters in this window has been United's failure to sign a striker because strengthening the attack in the winter window won't have necessarily cost millions.
Unite