It was somewhat fitting that Manchester United saved their first draw of the season for their first non-televised game of the campaign against Newcastle United at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon.
Expected to come flying out of the blocks, still fuelled with energy and adrenaline following Scott McTominay's last-gasp winner against Omonia Nicosia in the Europa League less than 72 hours earlier, United were the polar opposite, proving slow, sluggish and bereft of attacking ideas. Newcastle were the better side for much of the first half and would have gone into the interval with their noses in front had the woodwork not denied Joelinton twice.
The Reds, to their credit, did improve after the break and had it not been for some wasteful finishing from Marcus Rashford and Fred in the dying stages they would have scooped a fourth successive win in all competitions. Fred blazed wide after connecting with Rashford's cutback before the latter headed wide when it looked easier to hit the target.
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Although the stalemate with Newcastle marked only the second time that United have failed to score in the Premier League so far this season - the 4-0 battering at Brentford being the other - their lack of goals is starting to become a concern. Although they have shared their collection of goals among their main forwards so far this term, United are not currently able to call upon someone to regularly deliver the goods.
Cristiano Ronaldo, who claimed just his second league start of the season against the Magpies, has scored just once in the league this term, that being the match-winner off the bench at Everton a little over a week ago. Rashford has blown hot and cold while Anthony Martial has struggled for fitness.
Furthermore, United have now scored just one goal in their last four games in all competitions via a starter, that being Antony's equaliser at Goodison Park. All three goals against Omonia Nicosia in Cyprus came from the bench, as did McTominay's winner in the reverse fixture at Old Trafford last week. It is a problem that is becoming all too familiar and United's lack of a reliable source of goals is causing concern.
In Ronaldo, United, usually, could not wish for a better option. However, he, after scoring 24 goals last season, is well off the pace and has lost that guarantee of bringing goals to the table.
Regardless of the uncertainty that surrounded his future in the summer, United needed to bring in a new out-and-out No.9. Martial, though he has shown flashes of promise when fit this season, experienced a torrid time at Sevilla and Rashford, as he has proven recently, is far more effective from the left.
In line with Erik ten Hag's approach and system, United should have done all they could to take Ralf Rangnick's advice on board and poach Christopher Nkunku from RB Leipzig. Rangnick advised United to scout the Frenchman, following a breathtaking campaign in Germany last term.
He scored 35 goals and claimed 20 assists in all competitions, meaning he quickly became one of the most sought-after players in European football. He was linked with a glut of clubs, including United, but ended up signing a new deal at Leipzig, meaning he stayed put.
However, it has been widely reported in recent weeks that he is poised to join Chelsea next summer, reportedly signing a pre-contract agreement with them. At 24, Nkunku, who has scored 10 goals in 16 appearances so far this season, is 13 years Ronaldo's junior.
Blessed with pace and an excellent ability to drive at opposition defenders, he would have been tailor-made for a Ten Hag-style team, which requires a fluid front-three to lead the press and work hard out of possession, in a bid to recover the ball. Nkunku is quick and dynamic, as well as versatile, meaning he would have been an ideal fit for the way the Dutchman wants United to play.
He has evolved into a striker from an attacking midfielder and his development since making that switch has been eye-catching. He is one of the Bundesliga's most feared forwards and his stock is only heading north, as Rangnick clearly foresaw when putting his name forward to United's hierarchy.
On reflection, United's loss could very much become Chelsea's gain.
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