- Manchester United were defeated 3-1 by Brighton at Old Trafford
- Neville has suggested the summer signings are not good enough after spending £183 million
- Listen to the latest episode of the Mail Sport podcast It all starts!
Gary Neville has panned Manchester United’s summer signings, saying he ‘didn’t think for a second’ they would be good enough to challenge Manchester City and Arsenal.
United have spent almost £200 million on new signings, including Rasmus Hojlund, Mason Mount and Andre Onana, in a bid to continue the positive momentum from Erik ten Hag’s first season in charge.
But after three defeats in their first five Premier League games – the latest a dismal 3-1 home defeat to Brighton – the question is whether United are better off.
Old Trafford legend Neville believes United are not stronger despite the huge costs and insists they should have brought in Declan Rice or Harry Kane to help them bridge the gap.
“I was worried at the start of the season,” the Sky Sports expert said on the channel Gary Neville podcast.
Gary Neville has suggested that Manchester United’s summer signings – including £72million striker Rasmus Hojlund – are not good enough to bridge the gap with Manchester City and Arsenal
United also spent big on midfielder Mason Mount (left) and goalkeeper Andre Onana (right)
Gary Neville said he ‘didn’t think for a second’ that United’s summer signings would help them bridge the gap with Manchester City and Arsenal in the Premier League
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‘There was a feeling that Manchester United had done business early in the transfer window and that was good, but I was concerned that the players they had brought in would not improve them on last season.
‘I never thought for a second that they would challenge Manchester City and Arsenal with the players they brought in.
‘For example, this would have required a signing session of the Harry Kane or Declan Rice type. They didn’t have the money to do this kind of signing.
‘They’re not very good at the moment. There is no hysteria. I went to the Brighton match as a fan and thought: ‘Could I be surprised?’
‘You are always optimistic. I have never walked across that forecourt of Old Trafford and not been optimistic because that is the job of a football fan who goes to any ground where you support your team.
‘But the 72,000 Manchester United fans in that stadium, who are well informed and know Brighton and know their current team, I don’t think any of them were surprised by what they saw.
“Before the match there was that feeling of: ‘Let’s see what happens’ and ‘take a point’, those kinds of comments that appeal to people when you go in.”
Brighton proved far superior to United, with goals from Danny Welbeck, Pascal Gross and Joao Pedro earning them a fourth successive win over the Reds in the league.
United captain Bruno Fernandes walks away dejected after Saturday’s dismal loss to Brighton
The pressure on manager Erik ten Hag to turn the tide is already increasing
United initially paid £64 million (possibly rising to £72 million) for Danish striker Hojlund, £55 million for England midfielder Mount and £43.8 million for Cameroon goalkeeper Onana.
They also signed backup goalkeeper Altay Bayindir and brought back experienced defender Jonny Evans, as well as hiring midfielder Sofyan Amrabat and left back Sergio Reguilon.
But after defeats to Tottenham, Arsenal and Brighton already this season, there are serious doubts that United have made any progress as a result.
They were linked with both Rice and Kane, who eventually moved to Arsenal and Bayern Munich respectively for £100 million plus fees, but were shackled by Financial Fair Play considerations.
United’s only wins so far – against Wolves and Nottingham Forest – have been deeply unconvincing and the side now open their Champions League campaign on Wednesday with an intimidating visit to Bayern Munich.