‘Three or four holes to fill for Man Utd to challenge for Premier League title’

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 19 May 2021 15:43 BST
• 6 min read

Manchester United have been told they will need to invest in three or four new players in the summer if they are to challenge for the Premier League title next season.

Successive defeats to Leicester and Liverpool at Old Trafford have left Man Utd 10 points off the pace of champions Manchester City, who also have a game in hand.

READ MORE: Man Utd ‘no chance’ to catch Man City with current squad, says club legend

With their last Premier League title coming in 2012/13 under Sir Alex Ferguson, the now-annual post-mortem of their problems has begun and the Scotsman’s former assistant Rene Meulensteen has pinpoints several issues that need addressed over the summer.

‘Man Utd have never really challenged’

“They’ve been up there but they’ve never really challenged,” Meulensteen told Stadium Astro. “The moment City got first place, they’ve just increased the gap to Man Utd. But the other teams have not challenged Man Utd. What do they need to do to challenge for the title?

“I think there’s three or four holes that need fixed.

“The goalkeeper situation is still up for debate. In the long term, I don’t think Dean Henderson is the answer. David de Gea has proven still, against Roma, I don’t want to be funny, but Roma could have scored two or three in the first leg or four or five in the second. It was De Gea that stood in the way. He stepped up but he might be leaving, so you need a goalkeeper.

“Aaron Wan Bissaka’s been very good, but needs to improve going forward, Luke Shaw has had a fantastic season, he’s really raised his game. Not a big problem there. Central defence, there’s still things lacking. I don’t think Victor Lindelof is the best partner for Harry Maguire, so I’d look for something for there.

“Ole likes to play with two pivots, Fred and Scott McTominay, to protect the back four. I think you need another midfield player in there who is more creative and can do a bit of both, like Fernandinho at Man City or Fabinho at Liverpool.

“Edinson Cavani has signed another contract. You’ve got fantastic talents in Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood, so you need to keep carrying on with that development. Bruno Fernandes has been exceptional.

“Up front, you need something else. I honestly think, if they get a good centre-back and get Harry Kane up front, United would turn into title contenders.”

Man Utd’s campaign concludes with games against Fulham and Wolves.