IAN LADYMAN: Manchester United MUST buy an elite centre forward in order for Erik ten Hag to take the next step… Harry Kane would be PERFECT but with Tottenham ready to play hardball, it’s time for John Murtough to earn his money at Old Trafford
- Manchester United were hammered – but they had good chances in the first half
- They carry a greater threat under Erik ten Hag but need to buy an elite striker
- Harry Kane would be perfect but Tottenham would loathe selling to a rival
The post-match exchanges in the Sky studio that were all over social media by the time we got home from Anfield were a little peculiar.
Gary Neville facing off across what at times felt like a school playground with Jamie Carragher and our own Graeme Souness. Kelly Cates was the bemused teacher.
Neville did make a salient point, though, which was that for all Liverpool‘s possession, Manchester United had the better chances in the first half. Bruno Fernandes missed one and Marcus Rashford the other.
United carry a threat these days.
For a while under Ralf Rangnick and before that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, United were a team that didn’t create chances, that would go huge swathes of time in games without a shot on goal. Erik ten Hag has changed that in a short space of time.
Marcus Rashford (left) and Antony (right) cut frustrated figures in attack away at Liverpool
Anthony Martial (right) continues to struggle with fitness and played no part at Anfield
They didn’t have goals in them on Sunday but until they fell apart in the second half they did carry a certain menace.
All of which makes you wonder what they will do at centre forward this summer. They will have to buy someone for sure.
Marcus Rashford played through the middle at Anfield. He can do it but it’s not his natural berth. He is happier and better coming off the flanks.
Anthony Martial is supposed to be a centre forward but after seven and a half years at the club it’s still hard to know what he is as well as, much of the time, where he is. He was absent injured once again at Anfield.
So where do United go? To the transfer market this summer, it seems.
Wout Weghorst was loaned from Burnley via Besiktas in January as a stop gap which was smart work. United needed a body…