Manchester United has renewed their front line by signing Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko, but Gary Neville is still worried about the side of Ruben Amorim
Gary Neville is surprised that Manchester United this summer spent more than £ 200 million on attacking talent, especially when they still have an unsolved problem elsewhere.
United has signed Matheus Cunha (£ 62.5 million from Wolves), Bryan Mbeumo (£ 71 million from Brentford) and Benjamin Sesko (£ 74 million from RB Leipzig) this summer. Ruben Amorim's side scored only 44 times in 38 Premier League matches last season and acted to add more firepower to the team that ended 15th.
They managed to attract the trio of Forward, even though they cannot offer European football this season after losing the Europa League final at Tottenham in May. United has undoubtedly strengthened their attack, but the only other arrival so far this summer is Diego Leon, an 18-year-old left back.
Former United defender Neville is satisfied with the new signing sessions, but thinks there are still major problems that need to be tackled. He encouraged them to buy a new keeper after Andre Onana struggled for consistency last season.
“Mbeumo, Cunha, Sesko many eyes on them in United,” Neville said at Sky Sports after Liverpool's 4-2 victory over Bournemouth. “I think fans of Manchester United, including myself, are surprised that they went and spent that level of money.
“We thought of course after the Europa League final, that the money would not be at that level. So to get those three players, who look like a really good profile – two of them have Premier League experience – we need them to do it right, because the rest of the team …
“We need a keeper. There are absolutely problems with the defense and midfield. But if the three strikers are a real handful and goals … Last season, United's return for the goal was very bad, so it is really important that Sesko, Mbeumo and Cunha are achieving a really good start.
“We have seen a Liverpool striker (Hugo Ekitike) doing it tonight. There is no reason why United Strikers can't do that on Sunday.”
United starts their campaign against Arsenal in Old Trafford on Sunday and have until 1 September to make even more additions on their side. The club desperately tries to release Jadon Sancho, Alejandro Garnacho, Antony and Tyrell Malacia so that they can reinvest in Amorim's team.
They give priority to a midfielder, but are also associated with keepers, including Gianluigi Donnarumma, who is planning to leave Paris Saint-Germain, Aston Villas Emi Martinez and Senne Lammens from Royal Antwerp.
Asked what a good season would be for United, Neville replied: “I think the top six would be a good season. I think the four at the top – Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool, City – are difficult to challenge.
“But they can slide into that room where there are other clubs, Newcastle, Tottenham, Villa, so that fifth place would be absolutely great. I think it would probably be between the sixth and eighth, but I think they are where they have to focus.”