United's attacking problems were plain to see. Their three main forwards—Cole, Yorke, and the often-benched Solskjær—had combined for fewer than forty league goals this season, accounting for less than sixty percent of Manchester United's total output.
Solskjær, averaging under 0.3 goals per game, offered little to praise in terms of numbers. Injuries had disrupted his rhythm, and statistically he was producing at a rate similar to Sheringham's. Cole, however, was the exception. With sixteen league goals to his name, he was in fine form and still had an outside chance of finishing as the Premier League's top scorer—if he could somehow produce a hat-trick today.
Yet United's European commitments had taken their toll. The congested schedule and shifting priorities left their attack inconsistent. Yorke, usually so reliable, was stuck on fifteen league goals, trailing behind Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink of Leeds United with seventeen, and Michael Owen with sixteen same with Trezeguet
