Sridhar Bhamidi
Manchester United started their 2017/18 season with a bang by demolishing West Ham United 4-0 at Old Trafford. But, former Red Devils captain Gary Neville feels that the side still need to sign a world class winger for Jose Mourinho to have a ‘complete squad’, according to The Mirror.
Summer signings Romelu Lukaku and Nemanja Matic had dream debuts, with the striker scoring a brace and the midfielder picking up the man-of-the-match award.
It was a performance that clearly had the Old Trafford buzzing. Although the win was emphatic, Neville says that the manager still has one piece missing in the puzzle and solving that would propel United in the race to Premier League title this season.
Young England striker Marcus Rashford played on the left wing – out of position – and Neville hopes that a new player is signed to relieve Rashford of those duties. He feels that signing a winger will make this current squad a potent one.
“Is Rashford a wide player – not really?”
“That is where United could get one world class winger and it would be a complete squad”
Neville’s thoughts synchronise with those of the Old Trafford chiefs who feel that Mourinho’s squad has to challenge for titles this season. Agreed that two trophies made their way to the cabinet last season but there is no excuse for not competing for the Premier League.
Is Perisic The Answer?
Neville may have been talking about Inter Milan winger Ivan Perisic who was on United’s radar throughout the summer. Months of rumors and negotiations did not help the deal as the Croatian winger hasn’t moved an inch from San Siro, leaving Mourinho frustrated.
However, latest reports indicate that the player’s agent Fali Ramadani is trying to resurrect the transfer and it remains to be seen if Neville gets his wish fulfilled.
There were reports which earlier indicated only a minor difference in valuations between the two clubs – leaving apart the contentious issue of Inter’s request to include Anthony Martial in the deal (on loan).
It would be a crime for United with all the funds at their disposal to see a target slip by because of minor differences in valuation. The skewed transfer market gives no cheer for clubs but sometimes you have to pay over the top.
Someone like Perisic can improve the squad massively!
