Former Manchester United right-back Gary Neville reckons his former side don’t have a balanced roster despite their summer acquisitions. Erik ten Hag’s side have been busy in the transfer market.
They have roped in Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee, Lille centre-back Leny Yoro and the Bayern Munich defensive pair of Matthijs de Ligt (centre-back) and Noussair Mazraoui (right-back) for a reported combined £140 million (as per Metro).
However, Neville said that the Red Devils are short of options at left-back, where Luke Shaw is injured, and up front, with striker Rasmus Hojlund not fit yet. He told Sky Sports (as per Metro):
“I think the profile of the players that they’re bringing in is the right profile. They need a younger, quicker, more athletic, energetic football team, and I think that’s what you’re going to see from Manchester United this year.
“There’s still an imbalance in some parts of the team that need to get better, worries about obviously Luke Shaw who’s now injured at left back and who’s going to play there potentially up front if Højlund does continue with his injury.”He concluded:
“Obviously, you know, United are short up there, but just generally, I think that they’re in a better situation than they were last year, no doubt.”
The Red Devils open their Premier League campaign at home to Fulham on Friday (August 16).
“The team is not ready” – Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag ahead of Fulham clash
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has said that the team isn’t ‘ready’ for their Premier League opener due to a multitude of factors. With players going deep with their national teams at Euro 2024 and the 2024 Copa America joining the squad late and new signings coming in, things have been ‘complicated’.
Less than a week after their FA Community Shield loss on penalties to Manchester City last weekend, the Dutchman said (as per Sky Sports) about the challenges he has faced:
“It’s true it’s not the pre-season where you can in five, six weeks work on the team. We had the USA tour squad, then we add the players who did the Euros and Copa America, and now new signings, and now we have to make a team from it.
“That team is not ready, but the league starts – and there are more managers to deal with this problem. We can’t hide ourselves,. We can’t run away from it, so we have to deal with it.”
The Red Devils will look to improve on their worst-ever Premier League finish of eighth last season.
