United need to carry on spending, says Neville

Former Manchester United defender Phil Neville believes this summer’s big spending by the Red Devils will need to be repeated in future transfer windows before the club can again be seen as title contenders.

Last season’s seventh-placed finish in the Premier League led new coach Louis van Gaal to splash out over £150 million (€190m) on Angel di Maria, Luke Shaw, Ander Herrera, Marcos Rojo, Daley Blind and loan signing Radamel Falcao,.

Absent from that list, though, was an out-and-out central defender, a position which has seen United struggle this season as Chris Smalling, Phil Jones and Jonny Evans battle for form and fitness and youngster Tyler Blackett seeks to establish himself.

And Neville believes that is the biggest issue still to be addressed.

“I know United have spent £150m (€190m),” he said. “I think there’s another two transfer windows of similar amounts of money needed — maybe £100m (€127m) — before they can even think about winning the title.

“There are still key positions in the team that need filling. I think the centre-back position is obviously the key area. Holding midfield or centre midfield needs addressing too.

“There were no world-class centre-backs out there (this summer). I think that’s why in the next two transfer windows, United might still be looking for that world-class defender.”