Former Manchester United striker Michael Owen believes the Reds could have benefitted from Cristiano Ronaldo's predatory instincts during the first half of Saturday's 1-0 win over Southampton at St Mary's.
Ronaldo, just as he did against Liverpool at Old Trafford on Monday evening, started on the bench, with Anthony Elanga, Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho preferred in attack. The aforementioned trio linked up well against the Merseysiders and deserved to keep their places, although Anthony Martial would have been knocking on the door had he been available.
Ten Hag favours a fluid front-three based upon pace and trickery, meaning Sancho and Rashford, in particular, are likely to be regular starters under him. Deploying those two, plus Elanga, however, means that United lack an out-and-out goalscorer at the top end of the pitch.
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United carved out several good chances during the first half but none of them were converted, with Christian Eriksen's terrific ball from the left flying across the face of goal, when all it needed was a touch to direct it past Saints shot-stopper Gavin Bazunu. And for Owen, that was the moment in the first 45 minutes that highlighted how big a role Ronaldo can continue to play at Old Trafford.
"The ball flashes past the goal and it is funny because when a Harry Kane or a top centre-forward just taps them in, everyone says these are easy finishes," Owen told Premier League Productions, speaking at half-time. "You know, a tap-in from a yard. How many times do you see that?
"But if you haven't got that sixth sense and haven't got that ability to know where the ball is going to drop, and be there at the right time, then you know it is not easy. I can guarantee he [Ronaldo] would have been there.
"This might be the right type of game for Ronaldo. Not in the sense of running and pressing a lot, but absolutely they could do with a bit of class up the top, there."
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