Manchester United legend Gary Neville has called on his former club to consider selling Mason Mount to generate funds for a significant overhaul of the defence and midfield.
United's Champions League return
Sunday's dramatic 3-2 victory over Liverpool at Old Trafford secured Manchester United's return to the Champions League for next season. Interim manager Michael Carrick has now overseen 10 wins in 14 matches since taking charge, placing him in a strong position to land the role permanently this summer. However, Neville believes the squad requires substantial surgery if United are to compete on both domestic and European fronts.
'Michael Carrick will be very happy tonight but I think he will also be disappointed deep down that they haven't gone on to win that game 3-0 or 4-0,' Neville said on his Sky Sports podcast after United squandered a two-goal lead against their bitter rivals, only for Kobbie Mainoo to score a late winner. 'They should have killed that game and put Liverpool to sleep because they were nowhere near this football match. He's won the game and that's the most important thing but Carrick won't be fooled by some of what he saw in that second half.'
Rebuild priorities
Neville outlined four key areas for improvement: a left-back, a centre-back, and two midfield players. 'If you're going to play 4-4-2, which I am massively in favour of United doing, you have to have two very special players in there and defenders who can play one-on-one,' he explained. 'You're asking a lot of the players. I think United need a left-back for next season because Luke Shaw has played every game this year and he may struggle. They need a centre-back, 100 per cent, and they need two midfield players. They are the four priorities right now.'
Mount's potential exit
Neville argued that selling Mount could provide additional funds for a fifth signing. Mount joined United from Chelsea in a £60 million deal in 2023 but has been plagued by injuries, making only 69 appearances. The 27-year-old's contract runs until June 2028, with an option for a further year. 'Look, if you could then maybe trade Mason Mount for someone else who maybe can play in and out and can be a bit more flexible across the midfield and forward line then I would say go for a fifth,' said Neville. 'But if you can't, I would say those four areas are the priority and they've got to be top-notch, those players.'
