There was a call for help – but nobody came.
Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim sent his Spitsnood signal long before the kick-off in the game from Sunday's home to Crystal Palace and selected midfielder Kobbie Mainoo as an improvised no. 9, much to humiliation of Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee. His risk failed because United suffered a gloomy loss of 2-0.
But would the outcome have been different if Amorim had played one of his natural strikers? The fact that no goal scored in 2025 does not suggest.
After the game, Amorim made it clear that he wanted reinforcements in the last 24 hours of the winter transfer window prior to what a testing of the second half of the season is. “We try everything to improve the team without making the same mistakes from the past,” said the Portuguese, somewhat diplomatic, in his press conference.
“But this market is really difficult for the clubs to close deals. Then you have the urgency and sometimes, if you are at that time, you make mistakes.”
Some fans would claim that signing no one is the bigger mistake and that is exactly what United did on Deadline Day, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Co. Like the wallet strings tight. Their top objective with one day was the 19-year-old French striker Mathys Tel, but Tottenham hit them to the signature of the prospect of Bayern Munich and concluded a loan agreement.
Amorim must now work with what he has until July, with his only winter additions are defenders; Left back Patrick Dorgu, who cost £ 30 million, and teen center-back Ayden Heaven from Arsenal. That has strengthened its side at the back, but they have lost men in attack. Marcus Rashford and Antony were both loaned – not that the couple was in Amorim's strong XI anyway.
In the goal, Andre Onana no. 1 remains, despite the performance of Understudy Altay Bayindir against Arsenal. At the center it is much less easy. Amorim has often chopped and changed his back since taking over in November and it is rare to see United going for a full 90 minutes without one of their defenders being immersed for another.
On Sunday, however, a forced change saw when Lisandro Martinez sustained a serious -looking knee injury. With the Argentinian that is excluded most of 2025, Amorim stands for a dilemma on the left.
Does the inexperienced Leny Yoro get there when he is hardly located on the right? Or does Luke Shaw return to a role he played before he finally fits fit again? The versatile Noussair Mazraoui could even enter, but given that Dorgu was signed at the left wing, a full-fit Shaw would be the best option.
In turn, Diogo Dalot could play as a right wing, which should look more comfortable. Immediately behind him, Matthijs de Ligt is better equipped than the reviving Harry Maguire to defend himself in broad areas.
In midfield, Manuel Ugarte seems to have nailed one of the two places, but the question is: who works him together? Mainoo was recently fantastic against FCSB in the Europa League when playing more an advanced role, which suggests that he and Bruno Fernandes could change position in the coming months.
Fernandes would be used as an in -depth playmaker, a position that he says he enjoys, while Mainoo can join Amad in the forward line. But here is another problem: should Amorim continue to exist with Hojlund and Zirkzee or is time to experiment with mainoo at the top?
Both Hojlund and Zirkzee will encourage the argument that a lack of regular starts has hindered their progress, with Amorim often running his two striker game to play and see decreasing returns. Hojlund, weak as he has been this season, is still a more proven Premier League goalkeeper than Zirkzee, which he gives himself no no. 9.
For the time being Hojlund has his nose at the front. Chelsea Target Alejandro Garnacho will feel hard-done by-by to start on the couch, but his pace would be a nightmare for tired full-backs, especially when Amorim has lost someone with a similar profile in Rashford.
Needless to say that injuries, congestion of the game and other hiccups will force Amorim to wander away from what turns out to be his preference XI. One thing is certain, he will not change his formation because he offers to become the first United manager to successfully adapt their motionless team to adapt to his philosophy instead of making a compromise like his failed predecessors .
Man Utd's strongest XI: (3-4-2-1) Onana; De Ligt, Maguire, Shaw; Dalot, Fernandes, Ugarte, Dorgu; Amad, Mainoo; Hojlund
Comments