Former Liverpool defender Mark Lawrenson has been speaking on the latest installment of the OTB Football podcast, where he claimed Manchester United are three players away from challenging for the Premier League title.
It’s been a promising season for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men, who are currently sitting in second place in the Premier League table and are set to take on Villarreal in the Europa League final later in the month.
However, the gap to champions-elect Manchester City is still a sizeable 10 points, and question marks remain over Solskjaer’s credentials as a top-class manager.
Nevertheless, Lawrenson believes the Red Devils need just a trio of reinforcements over the summer to have ‘a really good chance’ of winning the league but that they also need to stop going behind in games despite their incredible record of turning deficits around.
He said: (12:52) “You’re not going to win the league that way (coming from behind all the time). But I think it just, it shows that the best part of Manchester United’s team is from midfield going forward, and they’ve got so many talented players in both departments.
“And, you know, even though defensively they have improved, I’m still not convinced about Lindelof. I think the jury’s out a little bit on the goalkeeper, as well, because he’s not the come under any real immense pressure.
“So, you know, if they could get another centre-back to play alongside the captain, that would make a massive difference. Because Harry Maguire, while he’s lacking a little bit of pace, it would not be an issue if he’s got somebody alongside him who’s extremely rapid.
“So, I think they probably need three players Manchester United, we all sit here and go, ‘Oh they need this, and they need that’ but I think they probably need three players. And I think you know, then they’ve got a really, really good chance (of winning the league).”
TIF Thoughts on United’s title chances…
United are set to finish in the Champions League places in consecutive seasons for the first time since Sir Alex Ferguson retired, highlighting the progress that the club has made under Solskjaer.
The Europa League final at the end of the month will be a perfect opportunity for the Old Trafford outfit to end their longest trophy drought in 30 years, but going on to win the Premier League will be another big step up.
Confirmation that Edinson Cavani will extend his stay at Manchester United should help their push for a 21st top-flight title, but further reinforcements will likely be needed to prevent Pep Guardiola’s Citizens from acquiring another league crown.
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