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Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy reckons Manchester United could struggle to finish in the Premier League top-four this season. The Red Devils are 11th in the standings after five games, winning twice.
Erik ten Hag's side are coming off a rather disappointing goalless draw at Crystal Palace on Saturday (September 21) despite dominating proceedings for large swathes. However, Palace held firm as United saw their two-game winning run across competitions end despite now going three games without conceding.
Murphy said on Match of the Day (via Metro) that the lack of a cutting edge up front could deny United a top-four finish:
"I think they’ve made some decent signings in the defensive area of the pitch to help them in that respect. But they didn’t address the shortage of goals. Last season they scored the joint lowest amount in the top half. For Manchester United.
"They brought in Zirkzee, the only attacking player. He’s a young lad. He’s not a goal scorer per se, and he’s not really a centre-forward. That’s not going to get Manchester United where they want to be in terms of competing for the title, even top four I think they’re going struggle even if they make chances and have creativity in the team."
The goalless draw at Selhurst Park means Ten Hag's side failed to make up ground on the teams above them as they slipped to the bottom half of the standings.
"We should be more clinical" - Manchester United boss after draw at Crystal Palace
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag bemoaned his team's lack of clinicality in the attacking third as the Red Devils dropped points away from home in the league for the second time in three games this season.
Admitting that his team played well without scoring, the Dutchman also lamented the fact that United couldn't win despite controlling the game for large swathes. He said (as per the aforementioned source):
"I think we played very good and had total control of the game. In and out of possession, I think we played very good. The only thing was in the box and in the box is always where the game is decided. We should be more clinical.
"There is always one chance (for the opposition), and they got the chance in the 44th minute – it was a big chance they got. One mistake leads to a big chance for them. At the time, we should have been 2-0 or 3-0 up."
The Red Devils next host Twente at home on Wednesday (September 25) in their UEFA Europa League opener.
