Manchester United legend Gary Neville has urged the club to purchase a new centre-forward and a goalkeeper ahead of the 2023/24 season.
The Red Devils had a good progressive campaign in Erik ten Hag’s first season in-charge. They ended a six-year trophy drought by winning the Carabao Cup, and also qualified for the Champions League.
Speaking to Metro, Neville has now advised the club to fix two key positions in the summer. The United legend believes the club need a new shot-stopper with David de Gea being error-prone.
He added that the Red Devils also require a new striker, he said: “You have got to start with a centre forward and a goalkeeper.”
“If you don’t have those two positions fixed in a football team you are massively struggling.
“Manchester United are massively struggling particularly up front, but it has come to the time where they have to get a top goalkeeper.
“That Cup final [against City] said it to us all. I don’t like mentioning it too much but the second goal shouldn’t have gone in the back of the net.
“The reality of it is, David de Gea has had a great career at Manchester United, he has been a fantastic goalkeeper.
“But now is the time for him to be challenged and get someone in to be that no1.”
Neville provides right advice to Man Utd
United exceeded expectations after a slow start to the 2022/23 campaign. Their success was largely due to Marcus Rashford’s heroics in front of goal.
The England international netted 30 goals alongside 11 assists. He performed at a world-class level during the first few months following the World Cup.
The fans will be hoping that the club graduate can replicate the showing next term, but United still need a goalscoring number nine to complement him.
Rashford fares best from the left side of the attack, and United require a genuine goalscorer up front. Anthony Martial managed only nine goals last season.
Meanwhile, a new shot-stopper is a necessity with De Gea’s inconsistent performances.
The Spaniard won the Premier League Golden Glove with 17 clean sheets, but looked vulnerable when it came playing out from the back for most of the campaign.
The 32-year-old was guilty of conceding cheap possession to the opposition while he made four errors leading to goals. United clearly need an upgrade now.
De Gea is currently close to penning a new long-term deal, but the club should still pursue a modern shot-stopper with better mobility and distribution skills.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com & Sofascore.com
