Marco Asensio and Marcus Rashford impressed for Aston Villa against Chelsea(Image: Getty Images). Manchester United may have scored twice to rescue a 2-2 draw against Everton on Saturday, but there was still one clear problem throughout their performance.. Trailing 2-0 at half-time thanks to goals from Beto and Abdoulaye Doucoure, United sparked a comeback in the second period and picked up a point after Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte found the net. It was, at one point, a point that United didn’t look like getting after Everton dominated at Goodison Park.. Although United’s defending, at times, flattered to deceive, it was their attacking output that was the most concerning. Amorim’s side, as they haven’t for a number of weeks, did not look a threat in the final third and it was comfortable for the Everton rear-guard, especially in the first-half.. Rasmus Hojlund, Joshua Zirkzee and Bruno Fernandes, who was pushed further forward after playing the last couple of matches in a deeper role, started as the front three but they provided no menace at all. Patrick Dorgu was United’s biggest attacking threat, and he was playing as the left-wing back.. In total, United posted an xG of just 0.45 against Everton. To put that into comparison, the Toffees recorded 2.05 and should have won the game, having created FOUR clear-cut chances and had eight shots on target. In comparison, United had just three shots on target and conjured-up one clear-cut chance.. This isn’t just a flash in the pan, either. If you even just look at the statistic that matters – the goals scored column – United have netted 30 times in 26 matches; the fifth-fewest in the top flight. For a club the size of United, that is appalling and it’s a real worry that does need addressing by Amorim – and fast.. And if United wanted to look for any inspiration to see how they can improve that front line, look no further than Aston Villa. Unai Emery’s side earned a 2-1 win over Chelsea on Saturday to put them back into the top seven and the attacking three they finished the game with, United could have had for £28million.. Marcus Rashford, who is still employed by United, joined Villa on loan in the January transfer window and has been excellent during his first few weeks in the west Midlands. He came on for the second half against Chelsea and created both of Villa’s goals to complete the comeback after trailing 1-0 at the break.. Former Real Madrid midfielder Marco Asensio was the man that Rashford set up. The Spaniard tapped home from close-range in the 57th minute after Rashford squared the ball across the area, and he completed his brace late on as he volleyed home a crisp pass, though Chelsea’s Filip Jorgensen should have done better.. Ollie Watkins was the third integral part to Villa’s front-line. The 29-year-old, who was once linked with a move to United, has been in fine form of late, scoring two in his last three matches and it does feel like Amorim’s men are missing someone of Watkins’ calibre and prolific finishing ability right now.. As Rashford is a United player, they wouldn’t have to pay a fee to have him as part of their squad. Meanwhile, Asensio, who joined Villa on loan from Paris Saint-Germain in January, would be the same. United have been linked with Asensio in the past, so that is a move that could have happened.. Article continues below. Watkins, meanwhile, is the only one from that Villa front-three that United would have needed to pay for. Yes, Watkins would be more expensive now but United could have signed him for as low as £28m when Villa paid that to secure his services from then-Championship side Brentford in summer 2020.. Having seen how dangerous Watkins, Rashford and Asensio have been together at Villa, United could do with a front line like that. And if United were astute, they could have had the dynamic trio for £28m – Rashford for free due to him coming through the club’s academy, Asensio signing on loan, and Watkins then arriving for the £28m that Villa paid Brentford four-and-a-half years ago.
