Neville warns Man Utd "there will be problems" if they don't complete transfer

19 August 2023 , 19:25

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Neville warns Man Utd "there will be problems" if they don't complete transfer

Gary Neville has told Erik ten Hag that Manchester United must sign another midfielder after watching his old side slump to a dismal 2-0 loss at Tottenham.

United started the season with a 1-0 win against Wolves on Monday night but produced a very underwhelming performance under the lights at Old Trafford. And the Red Devils were poor again on Saturday evening against a Tottenham side still adapting to life without Harry Kane.

Pape Matar Sarr broke the deadlock early in the second-half before a late own goal from Lisandro Martinez consigned United to a damning defeat. And Neville, who was commentating on the match, was left alarmed by what he saw from Manchester United's engine room.

Speaking during the match for Sky Sports, Neville said: "Casemiro looks lost in midfield in these first two matches. What's clear is that Manchester United's midfield needs bolstering.

"[Christian] Eriksen has come on to have the second number six option alongside Casemiro. Ten Hag wants a number six who can play alongside Casemiro and at the moment the club can't get players out to be able to fund that - if they look at the first two weeks of the season, they have to fund it or there will be big problems."

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Neville then added: "With Bruno on the right, the midfield looks all over the place and the front three doesn't look capable of functioning as one. Does he go back to [Scott] McTominay? Ten Hag has made five substitutions and not used him. It's almost as if he is managing him out of the club."

Join the debate! Do you agree with Neville's verdict on Man Utd's midfield? Let us know here.

Manchester United players react after conceding in the defeat at Tottenham (Manchester United via Getty Imag)

Although United have already bolstered their engine room in the summer transfer window after acquiring Mason Mount from Chelsea in a £60million deal, it is understood that Ten Hag remains hopeful of signing another midfielder before the September 1 deadline.

However, the Dutchman is mindful that any further transfers will have to be funded by player sales after the club spent significantly on deals for Mount, Andre Onana and Rasmus Hojlund.

The club have already sanctioned the departure of Fred, who joined Fenerbahce earlier this month, whilst there has been interest from West Ham in McTominay.

One player who seemingly won't be leaving Manchester United this month though is Harry Maguire, who opted to turn down a move to West Ham earlier this week.

Dan Marsh