Peter Crouch claims Man Utd are in their "natural place" in the Premier League

Peter Crouch has sensationally claimed Manchester United are now in their "natural place" such is the nature of their incredible downward decline.

The disgraced Red Devils were put to the sword against Brighton on Saturday as the Seagulls recorded their first home win since Boxing Day. The 4-0 thumping condemns United to their worst ever Premier League season – Ralf Rangnick's side can now only achieve a maximum points tally of 61, three less than their previous low in David Moyes' solitary season in charge.

"It will never be seen as acceptable but right now, this is United's natural place in the modern Premier League — chasing Champions League qualification," wrote Crouch in his column for the Daily Mail. "Sometimes they will do it, other times they won't.

"They lose and shrug their shoulders and I don't get the impression that there are any great autopsies inside that dressing room. Nobody digging people out, coming to blows about performances. I feel they just talk behind each other's backs in little groups. Go on social media, say sorry and move on. Rinse and repeat.

"The fans seem like they have had enough. Plenty were walking out of the Amex Stadium long before the end, which is quite unusual for their away support."

Once renowned for their relentless pursuit of glory, the Red Devils have fallen drastically since the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson. The vociferous Scotsman's tenure at Old Trafford was filled with silverware but the end of the current campaign will signal nine seasons without a Premier League crown.

HAVE YOUR SAY! Are Manchester United in their "natural place"? Let us know in the comments section.

Incoming manager Erik ten Hag is expected to perform a summer exodus in an attempt to perform a meteoric u-turn and Crouch believes there is only one man at the club who is guaranteed a starting spot next season.

He added: "Quite a lot of those players will be blaming Ralf Rangnick for a season which could yet finish with a place in the Europa Conference League. That is what players do, and plenty will still be around when Erik ten Hag greets them this summer.

"The club will have to keep the vast majority of that squad, because a churn cannot take place in just one summer, but every single one of them, bar David de Gea, is replaceable based on this season. The only reason they have hung on to the top four for so long is the inconsistency around them."

Source: Read Full Article