Gary Neville: Why Man United are struggling to make summer signings
Man United legend Gary Neville delivers his verdict on the club's attempts to some transfer business in the summer window
Gary Neville has warned Manchester United that they’ll find it difficult to secure new additions this summer because of the competition to sign players.
The Red Devils have been linked with a host of different players in the summer transfer window so far but Manchester United have only recruited one player since the completion of the 2018-19 Premier League season.
Manchester United signed 21-year-old Wales international Daniel James from Championship side Swansea City earlier this month to bolster their options in the middle of the park ahead of the new campaign.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has a lot of work to do after Manchester United finished the Premier League season in sixth place and a staggering 32 points adrift of English champions Manchester City.
The 20-time English champions have been linked with players such as Leicester City defender Harry Maguire, Sporting Lisbon midfielder Bruno Fernandes and Crystal Palace full-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
Former Manchester United defender Neville believes the Red Devils will need to show a degree of patience in the summer transfer window.
“It’s difficult to do business, it’s not easy,” Neville told Sky Sports.
“Everyone knows Manchester United want players and price tags will go up. You’ve got to try and encourage players to come to the club.
“Players don’t just jump to sign for any club – they do their homework and get their agents to get to work. They probably have 50 meetings before they sign for a club nowadays.
“Manchester United will be in the pit with the rest of the sharks looking for the big signings. It’s difficult for all clubs they all want the same players.
“They all want Harry Maguire, every single club wants him. Everybody wants Christian Eriksen.”
Neville added: “Players that are being bandied about, there are four or five clubs in for them. They aren’t just going to sign for the first club, they’ll choose wisely and look at the different aspects.
“Manchester United have got a big job to do in order to get a squad right for a championship challenge. Hopefully that’ll start this summer but it’s not just bringing players in, it’s about getting some out.”
Manchester United haven’t won the Premier League title since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013 after their 20th top-flight crown.
The Red Devils slumped to a 2-0 loss to Cardiff City in their final fixture of the season at Old Trafford to end the campaign on a sour note.
