Rubon Amorim was admirably diplomatic when asked if he felt the Manchester United hierarchy had let him down by not signing a striker. “We're trying everything to improve the team without making the same mistakes of the past,” said Amorim after Sunday's 2-0 defeat at home to Crystal Palace. “But this market is really hard on the clubs to make deals. Then you have the urgency and sometimes, when you're in that moment, you make mistakes.”.

Yet given United have known since the turn of the year that Amorim wanted Marcus Rashford out, the failure to recruit a replacement is spectacularly negligent, even allowing for an unwillingness to repeat past mistakes. Even more embarrassing is the fact United were unable to get a loan deal over the line for Bayern Munich forward Mathys Tel, with Tottenham seemingly moving in to steal him from under their noses on deadline day.

Before Sunday's latest defeat, United introduced two new signings, young duo Patrick Dorgu and Ayden Heaven, to the Old Trafford crowd. Two defenders, when anyone who has had the misfortune of watching United regularly this season will tell you that the one position they needed to address before deadline day was up front. Amorim may have chosen diplomacy post-match, but his team selection – leaving Rasmus Hojlund and Joshau Zirkzee on the bench and playing midfielder Kobbie Mainoo as a false nine – was a blunt message to Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his cronies that he needs a striker who can fulfil the basic remit of the position – scoring goals regularly.

The failure to do so means United's attacking options are Hojlund, Zirkzee, Amad, Alejandro Garnacho and Mainoo, whose average age is 21 and who have just 14 league goals between them. Zirkzee has just three goals in 24 Premier League games, Garnacho hasn't scored in the league since November, Hojlund not since early December, while Mainoo has yet to get off the mark in the league. Only Amad has looked potent in the league, with six goals this term.

But the blame lies not with those young players, but with those in charge at United, for continuing the policy of sub-standard recruitment and failing to adopt a strategic approach to improving the squad. Ratcliffe's arrival at United little over a year ago was supposed to herald the dawn of a brave new era, after more than a decade of mediocrity following consistently poor recruitment and over-spending on average players.

Yet United fans are left bemoaning the failings they have become accustomed to in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era, with a squad that is simply not fit for purpose. In the summer, United decided to stick with Erik ten Hag, having interviewed several potential successors, and handed him a further £200million to spend on signings who have, once again, failed to reach the required standard. Ten Hag was sacked after a poor start to the season, replaced by Amorim, who had been in the job less than a month when the United hierarchy sacked sporting director Dan Ashworth, who himself had only been in the role for five months.

That farcical situation, given United's relentless pursuit of Ashworth and £2million in compensation they paid Newcastle for him, underlined the belief that, for all their bold rhetoric and posturing, Ratcliffe and his acolytes do not have a coherent strategy for making the club successful again. That feeling has only been strengthened by United's lamentable performance in this transfer window, when they have failed to address the one role within the team that was glaringly obvious. United are said to be happy with their business in the window and were forced to take a financially disciplined approach to incomings and outgoings.

The hierarchy were not prepared to take expensive risks, paying high loan fees for unproven young players with no buy option,. United believe such prudence has given them broader scope for the summer window, where there are better options available for players who fit Amorim’s long-term plan. Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.