Manchester United have been advised to bring in an additional forward before the transfer window closes, even as they close in on a major midfield signing.
Michael Carrick's tenure got off to a difficult start as United suffered a 2-0 defeat away at newly promoted Hull City, a result that raised fresh questions about the squad's balance heading into the new campaign.
Carrick opted to field a reshaped midfield pairing of Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans, two players who arrived for a combined £87million, but the duo were unable to assert themselves against Hull and were overpowered for large spells of the match.
United's business in the transfer market is not finished, however, with Carlos Baleba poised to complete a £70million move to Old Trafford in the coming days. The midfielder is expected to add further steel to the middle of the park once fit, though he will not be immediately available having picked up an injury, meaning his debut will be delayed.
In attack, Matheus Cunha led the line at Hull, flanked by Bryan Mbeumo on the right and with Bruno Fernandes operating in a supporting role behind them. Despite the attacking talent on show, the front three found it difficult to fashion clear-cut chances against a well-organised Hull defence. Benjamin Sesko and Marcus Rashford were introduced from the bench in search of a way back into the game, but neither substitute could inspire a response from the visitors.
Former United and England midfielder Owen Hargreaves believes the club's lack of a recognised focal point up front was a key factor in their toothless display, and suggested another striker signing could be necessary.
"I think they could probably do with another striker option," Hargreaves told TNT Sports. "Sesko didn't start and Cunha played a little bit deeper. He's a number 10 and he's very effective off the left."
Despite his concerns over the attacking setup, Hargreaves struck an optimistic tone about the overall quality of the squad once Baleba is integrated. "With Baleba coming into the team, it is a good squad and a top-four squad," he said.
Hargreaves also pointed to a tactical issue that has followed United from last season — their struggles against opponents who sit in a low block. He noted that the team tends to look far more threatening on the counter-attack, when space opens up in behind defences, but often appears toothless when forced to break down deep-lying sides.
"Today, when they had possession of the ball, they didn't look like scoring," Hargreaves added. "I think it will be easier when the space opens up. Today there wasn't that. They have to go back to the drawing board and look at what they can do differently."
The defeat at Hull will pile early pressure on Carrick as he looks to establish his methods at Old Trafford, with the club now needing to decide whether further reinforcements in attack are required before the transfer deadline. Baleba's arrival is expected to strengthen the midfield significantly, but as Hargreaves suggested, the manner in which United broke down a determined, deep-sitting side raises separate questions about their firepower up front that may not be solved by a single midfield addition.
United will now have time to reassess before their next fixture, with Carrick under scrutiny to find solutions both in personnel and approach if his side are to avoid similar frustrations in matches where opponents defend in numbers.
Based on reporting from Standard Football.