There was a cry for help - but no one came.
Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim sent his striker distress signal long before kick-off in Sunday's game at home to Crystal Palace, selecting midfielder Kobbie Mainoo as a makeshift No.9, much to the humiliation of Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee. His risk backfired, as United suffered a dismal 2-0 loss.
But would the outcome have been any different had Amorim played one of his natural strikers? The fact neither have scored a single goal in 2025 suggests not.
Post-match, Amorim made it clear that he wanted reinforcements in the final 24 hours of the winter transfer window ahead of what's set to be a testing second half of the season. "We're trying everything to improve the team without making the same mistakes of the past," the Portuguese, somewhat diplomatically, said in his press conference.
"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."
Some fans would argue that signing no one is the bigger mistake and that's exactly what United did on deadline day, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Co. keen to keep the purse strings tight. Their top target with one day left was 19-year-old French striker Mathys Tel, but Tottenham beat them to the Bayern Munich prospect's signature and secured a loan deal.
Amorim must now work with what he's got until July, with his only winter additions being defenders; left-back Patrick Dorgu, who cost £30million, and teenage centre-back Ayden Heaven from Arsenal. That's bolstered his side at the back but they've lost men in attack. Marcus Rashford and Antony have both been loaned out - not that the pair were in Amorim's strong XI anyway.
In goal, Andre Onana continues to be No.1, despite that performance from understudy Altay Bayindir against Arsenal. At centre-back, it's much less simple. Amorim has frequently chopped and changed his back three since taking over in November and it's rare to see United go a full 90 minutes without one of their defenders being subbed off for another.
Sunday, however, saw an enforced change when Lisandro Martinez suffered a serious-looking knee injury. With the Argentine set to be ruled out for most of 2025, Amorim faces a dilemma on the left-hand side.
Does the inexperienced Leny Yoro get thrust out there when he's barely settled on the right? Or does Luke Shaw return to a role which he's played before once he's finally match fit again? The versatile Noussair Mazraoui could even slot in but given that Dorgu has been signed at left wing-back, a full-fit Shaw would be the best option.
In turn, Diogo Dalot would be able to play as a right wing-back, where he should look more comfortable. Directly behind him, Matthijs de Ligt is better-equipped than the resurgent Harry Maguire to defend in wide areas.
In midfield, Manuel Ugarte seems to have one of the two places nailed down but the question is: who partners him? Mainoo was recently superb against FCSB in the Europa League when playing more of an advanced role, suggesting that he and Bruno Fernandes could switch positions in the coming months.
Fernandes would be used as a deep-lying playmaker, a position which he says he enjoys, while Mainoo can link up with Amad in the forward line. But here's another issue: should Amorim persist with Hojlund and Zirkzee or is time to experiment with Mainoo up top?
Both Hojlund and Zirkzee will make the argument that a lack of regular starts has hindered their progress, with Amorim often rotating his two strikers game to game and seeing diminishing returns. Hojlund, feeble as he's been this season, is still a more proven Premier League goalscorer than Zirkzee, who he himself admits isn't an out-and-out No.9.
For now, Hojlund has his nose in front. Chelsea target Alejandro Garnacho will feel hard-done-by to start on the bench but his pace would be a nightmare for tired full-backs, especially when Amorim has lost someone with a similar profile in Rashford.
Needless to say, injuries, fixture congestion and other hiccups will force Amorim to stray away from whatever his preferred XI turns out to be. One thing's for sure, he won't change his formation, as he bids to become the first United manager to successfully get their rudderless squad to adapt to his philosophy rather than compromise like his failed predecessors.
Man Utd's strongest XI: (3-4-2-1) Onana; De Ligt, Maguire, Shaw; Dalot, Fernandes, Ugarte, Dorgu; Amad, Mainoo; Hojlund