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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
James Findlater

Dimitar Berbatov pinpoints where Manchester United are 'suffering' most this season

Dimitar Berbatov believes Manchester United are 'suffering' from their lack of options up front, but has still backed them to finish in the top four.

United's hopes of qualifying for next season’s Champions League look to be all but over following their dismal defeat at Everton at the weekend. With Tottenham going on to comprehensively beat Aston Villa later in the day, United now find themselves six points off the top four in the Premier League with just seven games left.

With a tough run of fixtures to contend with between now and the end of the season, many have written off their top four credentials. United have endured a host of problems throughout the season, although there’s one problem Berbatov feels is really costing them.

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The former striker is worried by the lack of options Ralf Rangnick has at his disposal up front. The United interim boss played without a recognised striker against Leicester when both Cristiano Ronaldo and Edinson Cavani were missing.

"When you put it like this, I think it's a bit short of options," Berbatov told the club’s website. "Cristiano Ronaldo still can score goals and I'm pleased with everything he's doing so far.

"Anthony Elanga is emerging on the scene and he's a great talent. I hope Marcus Rashford can find his footing and get into the form we know he has. He can score goals and terrorise defences.

"I can agree we are not scoring enough goals to win the games. I can clearly remember, and Wes [Brown] can back me up here, when winning 1-0, 1-0, 1-0 down the road was enough to get three points. Unfortunately, that doesn't happen at the moment and, because of that, we are suffering and losing points where we should win points."

The former United striker believes his old side can still qualify for next season’s Champions League. "Well, it's been a difficult season, that's for sure," admitted Berbatov.

"That loss against Everton didn't help at all. The chance is still there, for sure, but Spurs are leading the chase for the top four.

"Until the end of the season, as we have witnessed before in the past, you never know. So I still hope United will pull together and qualify for the top four. I want to watch United in the Champions League, where they belong, and I still think they have a chance to do that."

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