Owen Hargreaves believes Manchester United must sign another striker before the summer transfer window closes after their season-opening defeat to Hull City.
United suffered a disastrous start to their new Premier League campaign, beaten 2-0 by the newly-promoted Tigers on Saturday afternoon, undone by two set piece goals. The visitors offered no real threat chasing the game and were soundly beaten at the MKM Stadium with new signings Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans struggling on their competitive debuts for the club.
Transfer plans and squad assessment
Carlos Baleba is set to arrive to offer another option in midfield with a new left-back also on their radar before the transfer window closes on 1 September. Benjamin Sesko started on the bench against Hull having not played a single minute of pre-season as he recovered from a shin problem. Matheus Cunha started through the middle in his absence with Hull’s three centre-halves dominating aerially.
Former United midfielder Hargreaves believes United have assembled a squad well capable of finishing in the top four this season with Baleba’s arrival imminent. But the former England international believes Saturday’s performance demonstrated why they need another centre forward in the ranks.
Hargreaves' analysis
‘I think they could probably do with another striker option,’ Hargreaves told TNT Sports. ‘I think that showed today, Sesko didn’t start and Cunha played a little bit deeper. He’s a 10, and plays very effective off the left.
‘But I do think with Baleba coming into the team, it is a good squad and it is a top four squad, I just think they were at their best last season counter attacking teams.
‘They were at their best counter attacking teams, remember the first ones, Carrick’s first games against City and Arsenal.
‘Today where they had possession of the ball they didn’t look like scoring. I think it will be easier when the space opens up. Today there wasn’t that. I think they go back to the drawing board and look at what they can do differently.’
United are back in action against another newly-promoted side in Ipswich Town next weekend.
