Manchester United transfer latest: Gary Neville claims the Red Devils must buy a centre-back and left-back before the transfer window closes
Gary Neville has insisted that Man Utd's defensive vulnerabilities will let Michael Carrick down if not addressed by the end of the transfer window; summer transfer window deadline is 11pm on September 1 - follow on SSN and with the Transfer Centre in the Sky Sports app
Sunday 30 August 2026 16:20, UK
Gary Neville has encouraged Man Utd to address their defensive weaknesses by signing a centre-back and full-back before the transfer window closes on Tuesday.
United have spent £155m this summer on midfielders Carlos Baleba, Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans, having added attackers Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko in the summer of 2025.
However, Neville says defensive frailties could undermine progress in those areas for head coach Michael Carrick.
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"In a perfect world, if you'd said to Michael Carrick, 'what would you have done this summer?' he would have said, 'rebuild the midfield, and I would rebuild the defence'," Neville told Sky Sports.
"But, to be fair, last season, they've spent, whatever it is, £170m on attackers. They've spent £150m this year on midfielders. They're doing it piece by piece. That might be the sensible thing to do, to not overhaul everything at once.
"They have got some individually decent defenders, but there isn't a back four there and when it starts to get put under pressure and it starts to pick up a couple of injuries during the season, it will let you down. Michael knows that right now.
"If they could get a centre-back and a full-back before the window closes, that will stop problems that we know we're going to see.
"I'm not saying they've been bad all the time, but you just know full well, in Champions League football, Premier League games, they will have problems and they will have issues. It's not being harsh. Everybody knows it.
"I'm amazed that United haven't added at the back. I'm amazed that Liverpool haven't added two full-backs because they need two full-backs.
"Arsenal are strengthening when they're absolutely at the top. Manchester United and Liverpool aren't in that position. So I'm surprised at the windows these two great clubs have had."
What could Man Utd do before Tuesday transfer deadline?
United are continuing to monitor potential options at left-back to further strengthen Carrick's squad before Tuesday's deadline and could make their move if the right opportunity becomes available.
United enquired about the availability of Aston Villa's Ian Maatsen but he is set to be offered a new contract.
They have long held an interest in Newcastle's Lewis Hall, but the Magpies insists he is not for sale.
Luke Shaw is United's only senior left-back, with right-backs Noussair Mazraoui and Diogo Dalot able to deputise in the position. New midfield signing Carlos Baleba can also play there if required. United's only other left-back is youngster Harry Amass, but he is expected to leave the club - most likely on loan.
United are continuing to do work in the left-back market with a view to the future and a potential investment in one of the next two transfer windows, with their financial situation making a signing there next year a potentially more prudent decision based on what players are available.
Manchester United transfers
In
Carlos Baleba - Man Utd, £70m
Andrey Santos - Chelsea, £50m
Youri Tielemans - Aston Villa, £35m
Tynan Thompson - Tottenham, £8m
Cristian Orozco - Fortaleza, undisclosed
Kit Margetson - Swansea, compensation
Karl Darlow - Leeds, free
Out
Rasmus Hojlund - Napoli, £38m
Toby Collyer - West Brom, £7.6m
Radek Vitek - Middlesbrough, £7m
Ethan Williams - Peterborough, undisclosed
Tyler Fredricson - Lausanne-Sport, undisclosed
Ethan Ennis - Stockport, free
Sonny Aljofree - Rotherham, free
James Bailey - Stockport, free
Casemiro - Inter Miami, free
Jacob Devaney, Hibernian, loan
Altay Bayindir - Celta Vigo, loan
Sekou Kone - Lausanne-Sport, loan
Andre Onana - Trabzonspor, loan
Elyh Harrison - Morton, loan
Tyrell Malacia - released
Jadon Sancho - released
Malachi Sharpe - released
