Micah Richards believes that Manchester United can’t win the Premier League title because Wout Weghorst won’t score enough goals.
Following Arsenal’s surprise draw with Brentford, both Manchester clubs gained on the league leaders on Sunday, with United beating Leeds 2-0 and City beating Aston Villa 3-1.
It means that the Red Devils stay third in table, five points behind Arsenal and two behind Manchester City – albeit they have played a game more than the Citizens and two games more than the Gunners.
Almost nobody would have expected Erik ten Hag’s team to be in the title race this season and while they are not expected to do it, it is entirely possibly that they could be Premier League champions for the first time since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement.
However, City icon Richards believes it simply won’t happen, because they lack a world-class striker, saying on Sky Sports: ‘The only problem I see with Manchester United is the No 9 position.
‘Wout Weghorst is a good player, he links well but can he score enough goals to keep them in the race?
‘Marcus Rashford has been excellent but can he keep his form going until the end of the season?
‘Arsenal have got Gabriel Jesus to come back, Man City have [Erling] Haaland and a World Cup winner in Julian Alvarez on the bench.’
Weghorst moved to Old Trafford on loan in January but has scored just one goal in his first eight appearances and is the only natural No.9 available to Ten Hag right now with Anthony Martial consistently injured.
The 30-year-old did however grab assist against Leeds, setting up Alejandro Garnacho for the second goal of the game.
For comparison, Haaland has scored 31 in 29 games across all competitions, while Arsenal strikers Jesus and Eddie Nketiah have 22 goal contributions between them so far.
United do at least have Rashford in their ranks he netted his 21st goal of the season at Elland Road, with his manager calling him ‘one of the best in Europe’ following the win.
He’ll be hoping to keep his sensational form going when United travel to Barcelona on Thursday in the Europa League, before they return to Premier League action against Leicester next Sunday.
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