Gary Neville says Manchester United need five or six new signings in order to compete once again.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s squad is well below par and the current woes at the club were further evidenced with the abject performance in the defeat to West Ham on Sunday, who, in truth, were not near their best either.
The Reds made three encouraging additions this summer in Harry Maguire, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Daniel James. But it seemed obvious when the transfer window shut that Solskjaer was still left short in options.
Ander Herrera was not replaced after joining PSG, leaving midfield options woefully short. There remains too much of a reliance on Paul Pogba to provide the creative spark, and his recent absence has left United looking even less potent in attack.
Alexis Sanchez and Romelu Lukaku were also not replaced this summer, leaving Solskjaer relying on Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford to deliver the goals. Both are now injured leaving Mason Greenwood as the only fit recognised centre forward at the club.
NEXT:Confirmed: Three Man Utd stars ruled out of Carabao Cup tie against Rochdale
Gary Neville is well aware of how far United are now behind title chasers Liverpool and Manchester City.
“I’m not panicking as a fan. I’m frustrated but not panicking,” he told Sky Sports, as quoted by Manchester Evening News.
“What I would say is they have to quickly and efficiently identify three or four players to go alongside De Gea and Maguire. They need a couple of midfield players, they need a striker to carry the front line, they need a wide player and they need a left-back.
“You can’t kid football fans. There are five or six players required.”
Solskjaer needs two home victories this week as the Reds face Rochdale in the Carabao Cup before the key clash against Arsenal at Old Trafford on Monday.
