Finishing seventh would be 'really good' season for Manchester United, says Joe Cole after Premier League win over Crystal Palace

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Goals from Joshua Zirkzee and Mason Mount gave Manchester United a hard-fought victory over Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Sunday, their first win in November. TNT Sports pundits Joe Cole and Peter Crouch reflected on an improved performance from Ruben Amorim's side, with Cole saying that if United finished seventh it would be a "really good" season for them.

'I don't think they can finish in the top four' - Cole says seventh is a good season for United

Video credit: TNT Sports

Joe Cole said Manchester United are making "incremental" progress but remain short of the standard required to finish in the top four in the Premier League.

The Red Devils returned to winning ways with a 2-1 victory at Crystal Palace on Sunday, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

But Cole suggested a return to Europe - even if not in the UEFA Champions League - would be a positive outcome for Ruben Amorim's side.

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"I don't think they can finish top four, I don't think there's enough depth," former Liverpool and Chelsea midfielder Cole said on TNT Sports.

"But if they finish seventh and above, it's a really, really good season for them and improvement.

"Last year, you have to remember, they were [found] wanting, this group of players. There have been some good signings coming in, but seventh and above would be good.

"You're seeing incremental progress. If you look at the positives - the set-pieces, very good, there's character there, winning a tricky away game. It's incremental, nothing too major."

'The small details make the difference' - Amorim praises much-improved second half from United

Video credit: TNT Sports

United will now hope to build on their victory over Palace, with seemingly winnable games against West Ham and Wolves next up in the Premier League, before Bournemouth come to Old Trafford.

"There's a real good run of games now for Manchester United," said Peter Crouch on TNT Sports. "They're in and around it now and if they can build a run, get two, three, four wins, it really puts them back in the mix.

"All winnable games there, especially for a club like Manchester United.

United could be hindered by the Africa Cup of Nations in December and January, with Bryan Mbeumo [Cameroon], Amad Diallo [Ivory Coast] and Noussair Mazraoui [Morocco] all set to leave for international duty.

Asked whether that could prove significant, Crouch said: "Mbeumo especially, he's been a great signing for them.

"I do worry for them, they're building a bit of momentum now, but I don't think they're good enough to get into the top four.

"For a club like Manchester United, to not get into Europe for two years on the spin would be a travesty really. What they have to look at is getting into the Europa League, and everything above that would be a bonus for where they are now."

Mason Mount's goal from a free-kick at Selhurst Park put United level with Arsenal as the top set-piece scorers in the Premier League (10), and Cole highlighted that as worthy of praise.

"You have to give the manager credit," Cole said. "He's come under a lot of fire.

"He's Manchester United manager and the results haven't been deemed to be where they should be, but that's a positive.

"To be up there with Arsenal, everyone's been patting Mikel Arteta on the back, but fair play to United.

"When you've got Bruno's delivery and you've got people like Maguire, Casemiro heading it, you don't need to be a rocket scientist. Great delivery, great players attacking the ball, and they've got that."

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