Graeme Souness has told Manchester United that they will miss out on the top four this season.
Writing in his column for the Daily Mail, the former Liverpool midfielder believes that Erik ten Hag will not be able to guide his team to the Champions League next season.
Souness claims that United are too reliant on Marcus Rashford, who despite his current good form will ultimately cost them at the end of the season.
“Marcus Rashford is their top scorer with five and he’s playing well. The concern for United is that (a drop in form) could happen again. If he is the one you trust to achieve your goals, that feels like a wing and a prayer to me,” he wrote.
Souness also raised concerns about Anthony Martial, saying he doesn’t expect the Frenchman to make the required impact in the second half of the campaign.
“Anthony Martial will stand up and be counted out, so good luck with that. Three years ago, I said that he was in a last chance salon to show that he is a United player. He has talent, but a huge question mark remains,” he wrote.
It’s no secret that Ten Hag is looking to add more firepower to his attack. United lack that killer instinct up front and a goal-scoring center forward is high on their January wish list.
Souness feels this will cost United at the end of the season, with Tottenham and Liverpool finishing in coveted Champions League places.
“I think Spurs will finish above Manchester United. And the title is gone (for Liverpool), but they will still be in the top four,” he wrote.
United will be hoping to prove Souness wrong and if form is anything to go by they have a good chance as the opposition drop points and United continue to deliver results.
Ten Hag’s men are currently on pace to finish in the top four as they are currently fourth, two points ahead of Tottenham, who have played one more game.
The Red Devils are four ahead of Liverpool, who sit sixth after playing the same number of games.
Newcastle are just two points clear of third-placed United and also played an extra game. As it is, Ten Hag will be sure to go up the board instead of down.
United will be looking to continue their fine run against Bournemouth tomorrow night before delightful clashes against Manchester City and Arsenal in the league, after domestic cup duties.
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