Manchester United fans knew they needed a striker in the summer but the past few matches under Ralf Rangnick have shown how high a priority this position needs to be in the next transfer window.
Edinson Cavani is leaving in the summer when his contract expires but, even so, over the course of his United career, he has not made the matchday squad 39 times from a possible 93 appearances.
The Uruguayan is clearly a talented striker but in the world of football, availability is just as important as talent and Cavani has struggled with multiple injuries during his Old Trafford stay.
His departure in summer signalled the initial need for a young striker to replace him who could eventually grow into the role of starting number nine in the shadow of Cristiano Ronaldo.
But the Portuguese No.7’s own recent form and increasingly evident decline at the age of 37 might mean that United need to consider a more ready-made option to lead the line under the club’s new permanent manager ahead of next season.
Against Watford on Saturday, Ronaldo missed a number of high-quality chances presented to him at Old Trafford as United toiled in front of goal in a worrying 0-0 draw.
In the first half, he received the ball in the box and the defender marking him slipped, leaving Ronaldo free to take a shot in front of goal.
The Portuguese striker hit the post on that occasion with most of the crowd in the East Stand behind the goal thinking he had scored.
And then in the second half, Ronaldo received a similar chance from outside the box and despite having the majority of the goal open to aim at, his shot was hit straight down the throat of Ben Foster.
Under Rangnick, Ronaldo has only scored three goals, one of which was a penalty and some fans are unsure whether the next manager will want to put their systems based around chance creation in the hands of a forward whose best days could well now be behind him.
This means that in the summer when United delve into the market for a striker, they need to pick up a player that both provides the clinical edge that Ronaldo has been missing and the availability that Cavani also lacks.
Erling Haaland would be the obvious choice, but it's about as secretive as United's need for a striker that they will face firm opposition for the Norwegian from Europe's top clubs and without Champions League football - a distinct possibility after another Old Trafford stalemate, chances of a deal would be slim to none.
But there are also a number of strikers across Europe who United could target that may not be in that world-class bracket but who the club could build around for the next four to five years and hopefully ascend to that level as United have done with strikers in the past.
United have thrown away too many points this season due to profligate play in the final third. And while a midfielder ought to top the list of targets in a critical summer transfer window, a new frontman won't be far behind.
Which striker would you like Manchester United to sign in the summer? Follow our United On My Mind writer Casey Evans on Twitter and get involved in the discussion in the comments section below.
