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Gary Neville has warned Manchester United will be in “big trouble” this season if they don’t sign another midfielder before the transfer window closes.
The pundit was furious in United’s 2-0 loss to Tottenham as the Red Devils’ shortcomings in the middle of the park were ruthlessly exposed by Ange Postecoglou’s side in the second half.
Erik ten Hag splashed nearly £180million during the summer window, bringing in high-profile signings including Chelsea’s Mason Mount for £60million and Inter Milan goalkeeper Andre Onana for £47million.
Rasmus Hojlund has also been snapped up by Atalanta in Serie A to lead the club’s line from Manchester for £72million, but the Dane is yet to make his debut as he is injured.
Neville, speaking in a co-commentary, suggested the arrival of a new No.6 to play alongside Casemiro was vital for Man United’s future success.
Manchester United are heading for ‘big trouble’ if they don’t invest in midfield, noted Gary Neville in their 2-0 loss to Tottenham
The former Man United defender was quick to criticize his club’s investment
Neville called the Glazers’ ownership ‘rudderless’ (Avram, left, and Joel pictured in 2015)
“Ten Hag wants a No.6 who can play alongside Casemiro and at the moment the club cannot bring players out to be able to fund that,” he said.
“If they watch the first two weeks, they have to fund it or there will be big problems.”
“What’s clear is that Ten Hag doesn’t want to go back to (Scott) McTominay. He saw him for a year, and he played alongside Casemiro, and he’s doing everything but bringing him up.
“He wants people to accept the ball, probably not the best because McTominay’s strengths lie in other areas.” He’s probably not good enough on the ball to be a Man United player, but would at least make a difference in this game.
The pundit went on to suggest the manager was looking to manage McTominay ‘outside the club’.
“United’s midfield needs strengthening,” he continued. “Erik ten Hag might have to go back to McTominay and strengthen him, but he doesn’t seem to want to do that. Looks like he’s trying to get him out of the club.
McTominay was the subject of a £30m offer from West Ham, which was rejected by United as it fell below their valuation of around £40m.
The Scotland international came on as a substitute in the 1-0 win over Wolves on Monday but was not called up by Ten Hag on Saturday – despite their obvious midfield issues.
Neville also branded the Glazers ‘rudderless’ when it comes to transfer spending – amid the ongoing uproar over their ownership of the club, which has seen potential bidders Shiekh Jassim and Sir Jim Ratcliffe leave ‘concerned’ about the fact that they have yet to hear an answer. to their offers of £5billion.
At the whistle, the Treble winner offered even more damning criticism, telling viewers: “Manchester United have been outclassed, beaten, lacking in midfield, not good enough up front and at the back, they gave goals.” Kudos to Spurs. Manchester United have a lot of work to do.
Erik ten Hag cut a disappointed figure on the sidelines as Spurs claimed the home win
Ange Postecoglou’s side ‘upgraded and beat’ the Red Devils on Saturday night
Ten Hag could have called on Scott McTominay (centre) but chose not to in a move questioned by Neville
Man United need to sell players to make more signings. Anthony Elanga joined Nottingham Forest for £15m and Fred left for Fenerbahce in a £12m deal, but Harry Maguire’s potential £30m transfer to West Ham fell through. is collapsed.
Maguire was stripped of the armband on United’s pre-season tour after a 2022/23 campaign spent largely on the bench at Ten Hag’s side.
The 30-year-old will now look to fight for his place in the team, as Man United look elsewhere to raise funds to bolster their market power.
Donny van de Beek and Brandon Williams could still leave the club.
Neville’s colleague Jamie Carragher voiced similar concerns earlier this week in his diary column, where he took aim at Man United’s apparent inability to ‘look ahead’ in defensive midfield.
Carragher said the club’s acquisition of Casemiro, bought last summer for £70m, was “not good value for money”.
“Caicedo and Rice are examples of anticipation,” the 45-year-old wrote. “Let’s go big now to save money for the next six or seven years as they take on their role.”
“I never believed Casemiro would get his money’s worth. Not because there’s no doubt he was a world-class player.
The club failed to offload underprivileged defender and former club captain Harry Maguire
Neville’s colleague Jamie Carragher directed his anger at the purchase of Casemiro (left) last year
Mason Mount has failed to start since his £60million move from Chelsea
“But because he’s at a stage in his career where he can’t fully repay United’s huge fee.”
“He was a panic buy when he joined a year ago,” he continued. “An aging and stellar name signed for big money and with a huge salary to appease increasingly disgruntled fans, despite having to be replaced at an equally massive outlay two years later.”
The defeat at Spurs continues a stuttered start to the season for United, who cruised to a 1-0 win over Wolves at Old Trafford on Monday and were lucky not to give away a late penalty after Andre Onana ran into Sasa Kalajdzic.
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