SLACK OF THE NET

United boss Amorim facing No.9 crisis as Delap, Gyokeres and Ekitike turn their backs on Old Trafford

- FROM DAVID McDONNELL in Chicago

MANCHESTER UNITED boss Ruben Amorim led from the front when the squad arrived at their Chicago hotel to begin their preseason tour.

Amorim was one of the first off the team bus when it pulled up at the plush Waldorf Astoria hotel, only pausing to high-five members of security staff as he made his way in.

But leading from the front on the pitch is continuing to prove problematic for the Portuguese head coach, whose summer search for a striker to solve United's goalscoring crisis has so far drawn a blank.

A meagre haul of 44 goals in the Premier League last season, as United finished 15th, should have made recruiting a striker their priority this summer.

But with 24 days until their opening fixture of the new season, at home to Arsenal, United are still grubbing around for anew No.9 to lead their line, after seeing a host of targets choose other clubs.