Danny Murphy has dropped a clear verdict on where he expects Manchester United to finish in the Premier League after Saturday’s 0-0 draw against Crystal Palace.
Erik ten Hag’s men fell short of capturing all three Premier League points on their away trip to Selhurst Park against Oliver Glasner’s men.
Manchester United were largely dominant against the Eagles, but the Red Devils failed to capitalise on their clear-cut chances in the final third at Selhurst Park.
The Red Devils have endured a mixed start to the Premier League season under
Erik ten Hag, who signed a new contract extension with United in the summer.
United are 11th in the Premier League table and have only managed seven points from a possible 15 in their opening five league matches this season.
The Red Devils had seen a momentum boost after their 3-0 win over Southampton in the Premier League and 7-0 demolition of Barnsley in the Carabao Cup.
Murphy’s Man Utd prediction
Speaking on BBC’s Match of the Day, Danny Murphy welcomed the addition of the defensive signings that Manchester United have made under Erik ten Hag.
However, the Match of the Day pundit remains far from convinced with the lack of real centre-forward options at United, despite the signing of Joshua Zirkzee.
Joshua Zirkzee arrived at Old Trafford in July from Serie A outfit Bologna in a deal worth £36.54m, with the Dutch forward boosting Ten Hag’s striking options.
The 23-year-old Netherlands striker impressed with his link-up play against Crystal Palace, but Zirkzee failed to score for United before Ten Hag took him off.
Murphy believes that the lack of goalscoring threat at United will impede the Red Devils’ hopes of challenging for a top-four spot in the Premier League.
“I think they’ve made some decent signings in the defensive area of the pitch to help them in that respect,” Murphy said.
“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 goalscorer 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.”
Ten Hag on Man Utd result vs Palace
Speaking at his post-match press conference, Ten Hag admitted that he was far from happy with how his side’s performances since the start of the season.
“No, but we [now] have a start,” he said, as per Manchester United’s official website.
“The performance was good but the score we are not happy [with], we are disappointed with the score.
“It is clear. I know one thing for sure in football that there is a long way to go and when you play in the quality we now deliver, the points will come, the goals will come.”
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