Danny Murphy, former Liverpool midfielder, believes that Manchester United's failure to sign a genuine goalscorer will hinder their chances of finishing in the top four this season. Despite signing Joshua Zirkzee, who does not have a prolific goalscoring record, Murphy thinks United will struggle to compete for the title or even secure a top four spot. United's start to the season has been disappointing, with only two wins in their first five games, and manager Erik ten Hag has expressed frustration with their performances.
Danny Murphy Doubts Manchester United's Top-Four Chances Without a Goalscorer
Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy has raised concerns about Manchester United's prospects of finishing in the top four of the Premier League this season. Murphy believes that United's failure to sign a genuine goalscorer will prove costly.
Despite bringing in Joshua Zirkzee from Bayern Munich, Murphy does not believe the Dutchman has the necessary pedigree to lead the line for a team with United's aspirations. He argues that United will struggle to compete for the title or even secure a Champions League spot without a proven goalscorer.
Murphy's comments come after a disappointing start to the season for United. The Red Devils have only managed two wins in their first five league games, and manager Erik ten Hag has expressed frustration with their performances.
United have been linked with a number of strikers in recent weeks, including Cristiano Ronaldo and Cody Gakpo. However, a deal for Ronaldo now appears unlikely, while Gakpo has recently signed a new contract with PSV Eindhoven.
Background
Manchester United have a long history of relying on prolific goalscorers. Legends such as George Best, Denis Law, and Eric Cantona have all graced Old Trafford with their goalscoring prowess. In recent years, however, United have struggled to find a consistent goalscorer.
Romelu Lukaku was brought in from Everton in 2017 for a club-record fee, but he failed to live up to expectations. Zlatan Ibrahimovic was a short-term success, but his age caught up with him. Marcus Rashford has shown promise but has yet to consistently score the goals United need.
Top 5 FAQs and Answers
1. Who is Danny Murphy?
Danny Murphy is a former Liverpool, Charlton Athletic, and Fulham midfielder. He made 53 appearances for England and is now a pundit for talkSPORT.
2. Why does Murphy believe Manchester United will struggle to finish in the top four?
Murphy believes that United's lack of a genuine goalscorer will hinder their ability to compete with the likes of Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal, and Tottenham.
3. Who has Manchester United been linked with?
United have been linked with a number of strikers, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Cody Gakpo, and Victor Osimhen.
4. Why did Ronaldo's move to United fall through?
Ronaldo was linked with a move to United throughout the summer, but the deal collapsed due to a disagreement over his wages and transfer fee.
5. What is Erik ten Hag's frustration?
Ten Hag has expressed frustration with United's performances so far this season. He has criticized his players for their lack of intensity and quality.
As the summer transfer window progresses, Manchester United are keen on bolstering their attacking options and have made contact with Eintracht Frankfurt to secure the signing of Hugo Ekitike. They have also managed to secure the future of promising young defender Jayden Ngwashi amidst interest from other top European clubs. While talks with Brentford for Bryan Mbeumo continue, it seems like United are determined to add a new striker to their squad.
On June 27, the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union revealed the regional softball pairings for the upcoming tournament. The games are scheduled to take place on specific dates in July, depending on the class division. The state tournament will be held in Fort Dodge later in July for all classes.
The Club World Cup round of 16 match between Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Miami was marred by controversial moments, including a yellow card for Inter Miami's Luis Suarez and a questionable injury for Oscar Ustari. Ultimately, it was a goal from PSG's Joao Neves that sealed Inter Miami's fate, while tensions on the field were highlighted by a signal from PSG's Willian Pacho towards Inter Miami's Lionel Messi. With this loss, Inter Miami's dream of a Champions League title has come to an abrupt end.
The Club World Cup round of 16 match between Inter Miami and Paris Saint-Germain saw PSG, with a former star player Lionel Messi, dominate and win 4-0. Defensive struggles and an early injury to Miami's defender Noah Allen contributed to their downfall. Messi and his team spent most of the first half in their own territory, while PSG's forward line continued to excel offensively. This loss ends Miami's run in the Club World Cup.
Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri led McLaren to victory at the Austrian Grand Prix, with Charles Leclerc of Ferrari completing the podium. The win helped Norris narrow the gap to Piastri in the drivers' standings, while McLaren now has a total of 374 points in the team tally. Despite the tough conditions, Norris and Piastri battled it out to secure the 1-2 finish for McLaren, while Red Bull's Max Verstappen suffered a disappointing race and is now 61 points behind Piastri in the overall standings.
In this highly anticipated Club World Cup match, the renowned Lionel Messi will lead his team, Inter Miami, against the star-studded PSG. Fans can expect live updates, detailed match commentary, and stunning photos as the two teams go head to head in the round of 16. Stay tuned for all the action and drama as it unfolds between these top football clubs.
The Austrian Grand Prix 2025 at Red Bull Ring made for a chaotic start as Red Bull's ace driver Max Verstappen and Mercedes' newcomer Andrea Kimi Antonelli crashed on the first lap itself. This left the race in disarray, with McLaren's Lando Norris starting in pole position and Mercedes' Antonelli in P9. The crash has raised questions about Verstappen's future and Antonelli's prospects. However, Red Bull's team principal Christian Horner has put an end to rumors of Verstappen's move to Mercedes, reminding everyone that he is contracted with Red Bull for a few more years. Stay updated on all the latest news from India and across the world on News24 through our social media handles on Facebook and Twitter.
At the Austrian Grand Prix, Mercedes rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli was handed a three-place grid drop for the British Grand Prix after causing a spectacular crash with Formula One champion Max Verstappen. This incident happened during the opening lap of the race, as Antonelli lost control and took out Verstappen, who was unable to continue. The reckless collision adds another chapter to the ongoing rivalry between the two top drivers.
Lando Norris triumphed in a thrilling battle against team-mate Oscar Piastri at the Austrian Grand Prix, clinching his third victory of the F1 2025 season. Norris' win has narrowed Piastri's lead in the Drivers' standings to just 15 points, with Ferrari's Charles Leclerc also joining the McLaren duo on the podium with a third-place finish. The heated competition between the two McLaren drivers was evident in the post-race conversations, with Norris playfully remarking on the battle and showing off his damaged wing. Full statistics for the team-mates' performances in qualifying and the race are also provided for further analysis.
Italian teenager Kimi Antonelli has been handed a three-place grid penalty for the upcoming British Grand Prix, after causing a collision with Max Verstappen on the opening lap of the Austrian GP. The FIA determined that Antonelli was fully at fault for the incident, which also resulted in two penalty points. The young driver took immediate responsibility and is focused on moving forward and redeeming himself at the next race.