Having found the back of the net in four successive games, Manchester United's recent dry spell in front of goal now feels like a distant memory.

United went three Premier League games in a row without scoring either side of Christmas, blanking against Bournemouth, Wolves and Newcastle United. Ruben Amorim's side halted that trend by scoring twice at Anfield in a 2-2 draw with Liverpool, courtesy of efforts from Lisandro Martinez and Amad.

But despite scoring in each of their last four matches, they have only found a way to win once within 90 minutes, inspired by Amad's late heroics in the 3-1 win over Southampton at Old Trafford. That treble took the tally of goals United have scored under Amorim to 23, with Bruno Fernandes making it 24 with his first half penalty in Sunday's defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion.

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Amad has netted a quarter of the goals United have scored since the Portuguese chief took charge. In total, eight different players have scored for United since Amorim took over but when you take into account that Lisandro Martinez and Jonny Evans are on the list, it highlights the midfield as an issue. United have not scored a goal via an out-and-out central midfielder since Amorim was appointed, given Bruno Fernandes is operating as a number 10.

Manuel Ugarte and Kobbie Mainoo have established themselves as Amorim's first-choice midfielders, forming a developing partnership, but neither have scored this season.

With United becoming increasingly reliant on Amad and Fernandes for goals amid Rasmus Hojlund's dry spell and Joshua Zirkzee not being an out-and-out No.9, United's decision to sell Scott McTominay last summer has not aged particularly well. United cashed-in on the Scot on deadline day, sanctioning a £25.7million deal that saw him move to Napoli.

At the time, it was argued United had made the right call amid the fact he had moved into the final 12 months of his contract and United needed to raise cash through player sales. McTominay, as an academy graduate, banked United pure profit.

Former United manager Erik ten Hag wanted to keep McTominay but accepted the club had to sell him to comply with the ever-tightening financial rules.

"I'm very happy for him and it's also for us, but it's mixed, because I wouldn't prefer to lose him, because he is Man United in every vein," Ten Hag said. "He was so important for our team, for Manchester United.

"He was here for over 22 years. Unfortunately, it's the rules. We have to discuss the rules when you have to do sells and then, obviously, homegrown players, Academy players, they bring more value."

McTominay scored 10 goals for United last season, including seven in the Premier League. Often considered a Marmite player that divided opinion, McTominay had his uses, not least his ability to make darting runs into the box and score goals.

United no longer have a box-crashing midfielder that gambles to get into the penalty area. Of course, their system has changed under Amorim, meaning McTominay's role may have been altered, but United lack an attacking output from the engine room.

Financially, United got a good deal with McTominay. However, his goalscoring ability from midfield was never replaced and United are suffering as a result.