Gary Neville expects Manchester United to sign a midfielder in the ultimate week of the summer transfer window, convinced Ruben Amorim has lost faith in Kobbie Mainoo.
United have taken only one point from their opening two games of the brand new Premier League season, held to a 1-1 draw against Fulham at Craven Cottage on Sunday.
Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro have began in a midfield two in each of those games with Manuel Uagrte summoned from the bench on Sunday and last week against Arsenal.
Mainoo meanwhile remains to be to feature this season with Amorim revealing after the draw at Fulham the 20-year-old is now in direct competition together with his captain Fernandes for considered one of those roles.
United explored a move to sign Brighton star Carlos Baleba earlier this month but Brighton’s huge valuation, in the surplus of £100million, means a deal is unlikely this summer.
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Sevilla’s Lucien Agoume and Sporting CP captain Morten Hjulmand have been linked with moves as possible alternatives.
But after seeing familiar ‘acres of space’ open up in United’s ‘exposed’ midfield areas against Fulham, Neville believes it’s a position United must strengthen ahead of transfer deadline day on 1 September.
‘I feel United need to do a chunk of business in central midfield,’ Neville told the Sky Sports Podcast.
‘I’d have wish to have thought Kobbie Mainoo could step up and be that person. Nevertheless it is kind of clear at this moment in time, Amorim isn’t having him.
‘He starts with Bruno and Casemiro, then he puts Mason Mount back in there after which brings Manuel Ugarte on ahead of him which tells us he’s fourth alternative.
‘Meaning they’ll need to get something sorted since it is an issue.
‘The 2 in there, they do get exposed when the front three are a bit bit higher and that back five gets pushed back. Acres of space can open up.’
United do look to be on target to wrap up one piece of business before the window closes having agreed personal terms with Antwerp goalkeeper Senne Lammens.
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