Teddy Sheringham claims Man Utd won’t win the title with Anthony Martial as no.9

Manchester United hero Teddy Sheringham has claimed that his old club will not win the Premier League title with Anthony Martial as their main striker.

The Red Devils used former winger Martial up front for most of last season following the sale of Romelu Lukaku to Inter Milan.

United failed to bring in another striker this summer, strongly suggesting that Martial would once again be their main man in attack for this term.

But Sheringham thinks Ole Gunnar Solskjaer needs an out and out striker to get the club back to where they belong.

“Manchester United won’t win the title with Anthony Martial as their number nine,” the treble winner said.

“When you’re playing at a club like that, scoring 20 goals in a season is good, but you’re looking at a 30-35-goal man to be the icing on the cake. Will he be that man? I’m not so sure.”

However, Sheringham also said that he has been encouraged by the steps United have taken in recent months thanks to Solskjaer, but pointed out where they could improve the squad.

“The optimism at Man United is high,” he added. “The manager seems like he’s getting on well, seems like he’s got [Paul] Pogba back on side again – which is massive. It’s like having a new £100m signing. When he’s on song, he’s a top player and when he’s working hard, even better.

“[Mason] Greenwood coming on the scene, [Marcus] Rashford, [Bruno] Fernandes has been the missing link and now [Donny] Van de Beek could be fantastic as well.

Manchester United are looking to plot their path back to the top. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has already brought in Donny van de Beek but Jadon Sancho remains Manchester United’s number one target.

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“They are not quite title contenders yet. You need top players all over the pitch. That’s what Liverpool have got, that’s what Man City have got. Chelsea are trying to get there. Man United have optimism but they still need to improve.

“They need a top centre-half, decent full backs and good midfield players all over the pitch.”