Ten Hag to deny Neville's Man Utd transfer wish

Stuart Telford

• 22 Apr 2023 15:47 BST
• 3 min read

Gary Neville says Manchester United need a new goalkeeper, centre-back, striker and right-back, but Erik Ten Hag is only likely to sign two of those next summer.

The depth of Man Utd's squad, or lack thereof, was laid bare on Thursday as they crashed out of the Europa League at Sevilla's hands.

David de Gea and Harry Maguire - the goalkeeper and centre-back Neville no doubt meant in his tweet replying to a question about United's transfer priorities, contrived to gift Youssef En-Nesyri the opener inside the first 10 minutes.

READ: Man Utd's FOUR transfer priorities named by Gary Neville

Marcus Rashford might have hoped for more time off after a muscular injury, but he was brought on at half-time with Anthony Martial looking toothless against the team he spent time on loan with last season.

But United legend Neville - who won eight Premier Leagues and two Champions Leagues in his 19 years with the club - is only likely to see one of the positions he called for being addressed next summer.

A new striker the priority

"Ten Hag knows his budget will be tight in the summer due to financial fair play regulations, so he has his attention elsewhere," reports the Athletic's Laurie Whitwell.

READ: Why an Ajax reunification is the solution to Ten Hag's problems

"Football director John Murtough is known to emphasise the reality of United's balance sheet when talking about transfers.

"United's priority is a new centre-forward."

With Rashford, the Red Devil's 27-goal top scorer, doing his best work from the left flank, a need for a No.9 is paramount. Harry Kane and Victor Osimhen top of their shortlist, with Brighton's Evan Ferguson soon as one for the future.

When asked if De Gea would remain United's long-term goalkeeper, Ten Hag said: "He's the one with the most clean sheets in the Premier League; that shows he's a very capable goalkeeper."

Diogo Costa, Jurrien Timber and Jeremie Frimpoing are among those who might satisfy Neville's call for a "GK, CB… RB," but if United can stretch to a second summer signing after a striker it is understood that would be a midfielder.

Ten hag one six major honours at Ajax using a 4-3-3 formation, and more box-to-box players are required for the system to work.