Kai Havertz form may make Man United repeat emergency January transfer plan

The Premier League giants sit sixth in the table but their position does not truly reflect their overall performances this season.

Man United's results across all competitions have been wildly inconsistent, with Erik ten Hag's position as manager questioned on numerous occasions.

One of their biggest problems is in the attack, with a noticeable lack of goals coming from some of their big-money signings.

Rasmus Hojlund, who joined in the summer in a £72million deal, is yet to score in the Premier League for United as well as Antony, who joined last year in an £82million move.

Marcus Rashford is their best scoring forward with two league goals, and Alejandro Garnacho and Anthony Martial have one each.

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Man United's top Premier League goalscorer this season is midfielder Scott McTominay with five, while Bruno Fernandes has three.

United will be hoping the January transfer window allows them to change their fortunes going forward, but previous acquisitions at the beginning of the year have failed to make a real impression.

Martial is expected to leave Old Trafford as he has just six months left on his deal, and his departure would make Hojlund their only centre-forward, so they may have to repeat an emergency signing.

And the Red Devils will be hoping any new players will prove more successful than past deals.

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Cristiano Ronaldo's dramatic exit last November saw United welcome Wout Weghorst on loan from Burnley as attacking cover in January, but he failed to score in his 17 Premier League appearances.

The Dutchman did net in the Europa League and Carabao Cup, but two goals across 31 appearances suggests it was a failed signing.

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Weghorst was not the first rogue player to complete a winter switch to Old Trafford as Odion Ighalo, who shone for Watford in the 2015/16 season, signed on loan in 2020.

He too failed to score in the Premier League during his year at the club, despite five goals in cup competitions.

Alexis Sanchez netted five times in 45 appearances when he joined in 2018, with United clearly having little success in the January transfer window, but surely aware change needs to be made yet again.

talkSPORT's Gabby Agbonlahor highlighted the true state of their forward line by comparing their numbers to Arsenal man Kai Havertz, who has been widely perceived to have struggled this season.

"Here's a crazy stat for you," he said on talkSPORT Drive. "Antony, Hojlund, Martial, Rashford, Garnacho, Sancho - four Premier League goals between them.

"And Havertz, who hasn't had a great season, four. What does that say about those guys though? It's not good enough, they're going through each game, 'Haven't scored, no problem, haven't scored, no problem'.

"You're playing for Manchester United, you're earning crazy money, big transfer fees, they need to be getting more stick, these players, because it's not good enough.

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"That's why Manchester United are where they are, you can't blame it on the defence anymore, the defence is getting a bit better."

Three of Havertz's league goals have come in the past month and his form could spur change from United, with contributions from their current attackers clearly not good enough.