Former Manchester City star player talks about the Premier League

Former Manchester City winger Shaun Wright-Phillips has expressed his belief that cross-town rivals Manchester United will struggle to secure a top-four finish in the Premier League this season. Currently in India for Manchester City's 'Champions 4-in-a-row Trophy Tour,' Wright-Phillips, who made 217 appearances for City during two separate spells, shared his insights on the challenges facing United. Despite wanting the team to succeed for reasons that aren't entirely obvious, he feels that achieving a top-four spot may be "too much to ask" for a club that hasn't won a Premier League title since the 2012-13 season. Wright-Phillips's comments reflect the ongoing struggles United has faced in recent years, including inconsistency and a lack of cohesion within the squad.

As the new season unfolds, the pressure is on for United to prove their critics wrong. However, Wright-Phillips’s perspective highlights the challenges they must overcome to compete at the highest level once again. With a fiercely competitive league and several teams vying for European spots, United's journey will be closely scrutinized by fans and pundits alike. Wright-Phillips's assessment serves as a reminder of the uphill battle facing the club as it aims to regain its former glory.

Wright-Phillips, who scored six goals in 36 appearances for England, also asserted that Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has yet to identify his strongest starting XI. This uncertainty has contributed to the team's inconsistency on the pitch, as frequent changes in personnel can disrupt the flow and chemistry that are vital for success in the Premier League. Wright-Phillips's comments highlight a key challenge for ten Hag as he navigates a competitive landscape filled with pressing demands for results. The need to establish a solid lineup becomes even more critical as the season progresses, particularly for a club with aspirations of returning to the top of the league.

As United faces various opponents, the ability to field a cohesive and well-balanced team will play a crucial role in their quest for a top-four finish. The former City winger's observations reflect the broader concerns surrounding United's management and tactical approach, emphasizing the importance of stability in team selection. As the pressure mounts, fans and analysts will be eager to see how ten Hag addresses these challenges and whether he can find the winning formula for his squad moving forward.

"Haven't you seen them play this season. United fans are bouncing on off that 7-0 win at Barnsley in League Cup. Honestly, I want Manchester United to be good again because I want the derby to be as big as it should be. But I don't know, it's too much team rotation. Even when I watch them, I don't know how they are trying to play. I can watch Everton knowing how are they going to play. With Manchester United, I can't see their identity. There's too much like 'what's it gonna be'. I don't think he (Ten Hag) his strongest team yet. You are asking a lot to finish in top four," Wright-Phillips said in a recent interview. 

Manchester United finished eighth last season but secured UEFA Europa League football by winning the FA Cup. However, despite significant investment in new players during the summer transfer window, Erik ten Hag's team currently finds itself in 10th place on the points table after four matches. This slow start raises concerns about the squad's cohesion and overall performance as they strive to improve their standing.

In contrast, Manchester City is off to a perfect start, boasting 12 points from their first four games. Erling Haaland has made a remarkable impact, already scoring nine league goals, which is six more than any other player in England's top flight this season. City's dominance is underscored by their recent success, having won an unprecedented fourth consecutive Premier League title, edging out Arsenal by just two points (91 to 89) despite not defeating the Gunners in either league match. As the season progresses, the contrasting fortunes of the two Manchester clubs highlight the challenges facing United and the continued excellence of City. Fans and analysts will be closely watching how both teams navigate the rest of the campaign, particularly in light of their ambitions and expectations.