Manchester United completed two incoming transfers in the January transfer window as Ruben Amorim got the chance to add to his squad for the first time since joining the club.
The window has seen young centre-back Ayden Heaven join from Arsenal, as well as full-back Patrick Dorgu joining from Serie A side Lecce, while Paraguayan left-back Diego Leon has agreed a move ahead of the summer. In terms of outgoings, Marcus Rashford is the big exit of the month, with the forward joining fellow Premier League side Aston Villa on loan until the end of the campaign.
With just hours of deadline day remaining, it looks unlikely that United will add further to their squad, despite an attacker being targeted in the final days of the window. The club saw negotiations with Bayern Munich break down for Mathys Tel, with the winger looking set to join Spurs on loan.
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Meanwhile Antony joined Betis until the end of the season, while Daniel Gore and Ethan Wheatley also secured loan moves. United also look to have missed out on a move for Chelsea’s Christopher Nkunku. On the other hand, Alejandro Garnacho is set to stay at United despite interest from Chelsea.
So, what do our writers make of the transfer activity and the lack of attacking reinforcements? We’ve had our say below:
Amie Wilson
There were big hopes that Ruben Amorim would be able to add to his attacking line up in the final days of the transfer window, but it now looks like that hasn’t come to fruition. At one time it looked as if Mathys Tel would be moving to United, and there will be a disappointment that that fell through.
Amorim’s thoughts on his attacking options was made apparent when he opted to start Kobbie Mainoo as a false nine in the Premier League loss against Crystal Palace at the weekend. It feels as if an attacking signing would have given the club a much needed boost following that result.
But Amorim will now have to just make the best of what he has for the remainder of the season.
Jack Flintham
You can respect the decision to make signings in the summer rather than January. Saving money until a time when a better deal can often be agreed makes sense - if you are performing right now.
Ultimately, United seem so short up front they need to make an addition to their forward line. Neither Rasmus Hojlund nor Joshua Zirkzee have been good enough this season in front of goal and you worry for United without another striker in the mix.
The Reds will now be hoping that a miracle happens and their current forwards find their feet. Should they not and Marcus Rashford starts scoring, pressure will be on the decision makers for letting him go without signing an alternative.
Isaac Seelochan
I don't know where Man United are going under Ineos with several attacking players leaving and there appearing to be no replacements. I'm sure Ruben Amorim is very frustrated at the current situation as he must have thought they were going to sign at least one forward before Monday's deadline.
Have they written the season off already? It would be strange, given their involvement in the Europa League, which offers a place in next season's Champions League to the winners, of course.
It's clear that Amorim does not rate his current attacking options, and you can see why, judging by their poor goalscoring return rate. The Portuguese must be wondering why he took this job mid-season because they will struggle to win anything with this squad.
Carrington Walker
The departure of Marcus Rashford feels like a watershed moment for Manchester United, particularly off the back of an uninspired start at Old Trafford for Ruben Amorim. Ineos' disjointed leadership seems to have backed the Portuguese head coach with regards to the dressing room but not in the transfer market.
The club looks resigned to a mid-table finish with two young strikers leading the line who fans have questioned all season - and even booed, on occasion. The decision to not strengthen looks an obvious misstep.
Perhaps retaining the services of Alejandro Garnacho, to the fans' delight, and reintroducing him to regular first-team football could lift the second-half of the season - though this could be overshadowed if Rashford gets firing at Villa.
Bruna Reis
There was some expectation that Amorim would be backed this month with a new attacker but that looks very unlikely to happen now. Although we perhaps knew that it was never going to be the likes of Viktor Gyokeres arriving through the door due to his hefty fee, you would have expected the club to bring in a cheaper alternative - especially after Rashford was axed from the team.
A new striker would certainly bring a breath of fresh air to their attack while also giving them the best chance of finishing higher in the Premier League and getting far in the Europa League. It has been a disappointing window considering both Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee have failed to hit the ground running this season.
United have struggled to be clinical in front of goal and signing a new striker should have been the club’s priority. Without any firepower in attack, it’s difficult to see the Reds competing to finish in a European place. Amorim will now have to try and work a miracle to stop it from being an underwhelming season.
