Gary Neville has called for Manchester United to prioritise signing a defender before the transfer window slams shut next month.
United have been chasing forward Jadon Sancho all summer, but after watching his former side slump to an opening day defeat against Crystal Palace on Saturday, Neville believes their shaky defence should be the main concern for the Reds.
Centre backs Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof were run ragged by former United man Wilfred Zaha who bagged two goals on his return to Old Trafford, and Neville said it’ll be impossible to bridge the gap with Liverpool and Man City until the defence is improved.
“We can talk about Sancho all we like but until United get a centre back who can run and defend one-on-ones, they are never going to win this league,” Neville told Sky Sports.
“They are never going to win the league with that centre back pairing. They have to get a mobile, dominant centre half in alongside either Lindelof or Maigre.”
“Over the years, the best centre back partnerships have always had that really quick one who has lightning pace. To get across and snuff out the danger. Lindelof and Maguire just don’t have that.”
United have spent most of the summer chasing Borussia Dortmund winger Sancho, but with both clubs still unable to agree a fee, negotiations remain at a frustrating impasse. There were rumours the 20-time league title winners were monitoring RB Leipzig defender Dayot Upamecano who would certainly add some pace to the backline. Talk of that move has cooled in recent weeks though, and it appears the French defender will move to Bayern next year instead.
Whether United take Neville’s advice remains to be seen, but with the club set to take on Luton in the League Cup on Thursday before a potentially tricky trip to Brighton on Saturday, the schedule is hotting up already. If they’re to get their season off to a decent start, they’ll need to improve on Saturday’s defensive showing.