The Red Devils trail Premier League leaders Arsenal by 15 points going into their final eight games of the campaign.
Michael Owen reckons Manchester United must sign a new striker to challenge Arsenal and Manchester City for the Premier League title next season.
After a dismal sixth-place finish last season, the Red Devils have enjoyed a resurgence in Erik ten Hag’s debut campaign as their manager to climb up to third in the standings.
“Manchester United are doing very well at the moment,” Owen said. “But when I watch them, I still don’t think, ‘oh my word, Manchester United are back… They’re tearing teams apart and winning easily’.
“I’m still a fair way from being convinced that that’s going to happen. I think they’ve got the right manager in place. I think there’s a buzz about the club at the moment that they need, that every club needs.
“But I think the actual playing staff is still some way short of being… put it this way, if the league was restarting today, I wouldn’t have Manchester United as being challengers to Arsenal and Manchester City just yet.”
‘A new center-forward is an absolute must for next season’
In Ten Hag’s first season, United spent around €240 million on signing the likes of Antony, Casemiro, and Lisandro Martinez.
“I still think they need more in that squad,” Owen, who played for United as a striker between 2009 and 2012, added.
“They’re desperate for a center-forward. That is an absolute must for next season. I do think that Manchester United are still a few players short.
“I think their squad is getting better. As I say, Ten Hag is doing a very good job and he looks like he’s going to be the right man. But I do think they’re short on quality compared to the likes of Arsenal and Manchester City at the moment.”
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