Former Liverpool and England midfielder Danny Murphy has said that Manchester United need more than just Harry Kane this summer to bridge the gap on Manchester City.
Murphy made the admission after watching United lose Saturday's FA Cup final at Wembley 2-1 to their cross-city rivals. Goals from Ilkay Gundogan either side of a Bruno Fernandes penalty were enough to clinch a second trophy of the season for City and keep their treble hopes alive.
Despite the disappointment, though, United can reflect on this season with the knowledge that they made sufficient progress, ending their six-year wait for a trophy and qualifying for next season's Champions League. In order to kick-on, though, they must make the most of this summer's upcoming transfer window.
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The Reds are planning to prioritise the addition of a world-class striker and have earmarked Tottenham Hotspur ace Harry Kane as their top target. However, Murphy is adamant that signing just a striker will not be enough to take the club to the next level, urging them to strengthen other areas of their squad, including their goalkeeping department.
"United are at least four or five players away from City," Murphy told The Mail. "Bringing Harry Kane to Old Trafford will not be enough. They desperately need another three.
"If Ten Hag wants to turn United into a team that bosses possession, they need a goalkeeper who can play like either of Man City's. Pep Guardiola selected Stefan Ortega over Ederson on Saturday and I thought on the occasions that United were able to press City, Ortega's distribution was phenomenal.
You don't get that with David de Gea. He's a top goalkeeper, and has been one for so long for United, but to compete for titles - not just a place in the top four - you need a keeper who is good with his feet.
"De Gea doesn't want to play out from the back like Ortega and Ederson do."
As well as being in need of both a goalkeeper and a striker, United, in the eyes of Murphy, also need to top up their midfield with the addition of a midfielder who can support Casemiro in the engine room.
Murphy continued: "It's clear United need a striker to help Marcus Rashford, whether that is Kane or Victor Osimhen. They also need a midfielder with the stature of Declan Rice who can help Casemiro and compete with the physicality of the best in the world and probably a centre-half to complement Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez.
"I'm not saying United are rubbish. They're not. They are a good side who are making progress under Ten Hag.
"They are just trying to bridge the gap to one of the greatest sides we've ever seen. So are every other side in the Premier League and Europe. And, right now, United are just so far away."
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