Man United sent brutal £40m transfer reminder as problem highlighted 'over and over again'

Manchester United were sent an untimely reminder that they should have pushed to sign England international forward Ivan Toney in the summer transfer window.

That was the blunt verdict of former Liverpool and England midfielder Danny Murphy, who believes their lack of goals so far this season is already a problem for Erik ten Hag.

United were held to a 0-0 draw away at Crystal Palace on Saturday evening, despite having the lion's share of possession and 15 attempts on the Eagles goal.

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They have scored just five times in five Premier League games so far this season and heading into the weekend United had the third highest expected goals (XG) rating in the top flight, with only Southampton's XG underperforming more than Ten Hag's side so far this term.

It was a problem that plagued them last season, too, and despite bringing in five first team signings, only one of them was an attacking player.

United signed Dutch international Joshua Zirkzee for £33million from Bologna, but by his own admission he is not a natural centre-forward.

The 23-year-old has not added to the goal he scored on his Premier League debut in the 1-0 win over Fulham and his haul of 12 goals for the Italian side last season is not likely to radically transform United's fortunes in front of goal.

Bruno Fernandes and Rasmus Hojlund were joint top scorers last term with 10 Premier League goals apiece and Murphy has suggested signing Toney, who scored 20 Premier League goals in the 2022/23 season, would have been the more sensible option.

Toney swapped Brentford for