Gary Neville names two Man Utd transfer targets to solve 'most difficult position'
Gary Neville has warned Manchester United that they risk missing out on European football unless they sign a new goalkeeper. The pundit believes that Ruben Amorim must upgrade on Andre Onana in the final weeks of the transfer window.
The Red Devils have been busy in the transfer market, with Benjamin Sesko joining the ranks and potentially forming part of a new-look front three under Amorim. Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, who netted a combined 35 league goals for Wolves and Brentford last season, have also arrived at Old Trafford.
United are eyeing a move for Brighton's highly-rated midfielder Carlos Baleba as they look to bolster another area of their squad. However, Neville insists that without a new number one - amid links to PSG's Gianluigi Donnarumma - United could fall short of their ambitions.
"You've got to get a goalkeeper. If you've got a goalkeeper and a midfield player, I think fifth or sixth will be achievable," Neville stated on the Stick to Football podcast. "I think without a goalkeeper, it's eighth or ninth.
"That is the number one most difficult position in English football, Manchester United goalkeeper. I think it's the most scrutiny that anybody comes under."
As for potential replacements for current first-choice Andre Onana, Neville suggested: "Donnarumma or [Emi] Martinez. When they said about Martinez from Villa earlier in the season, I wanted him. His personality. He's got guts. He's got that presence."
Martinez appeared poised to depart Villa this summer following tearful scenes towards the end of last season at Villa Park, but he seems to be remaining with Unai Emery's squad. Meanwhile, Onana has endured substantial scrutiny since joining United as David De Gea's replacement in 2023, though he has won the FA Cup and reached the Europa League final during his time at the club.
Donnarumma has surfaced as a potential target for United late in the transfer window following his recent dispute with PSG. The Italian shot-stopper was omitted from the club's UEFA Super Cup triumph over Tottenham Hotspur and the 26-year-old posted what appeared to be a goodbye message to PSG supporters on social media.
"From the first day I arrived, I gave everything – on and off the pitch – to earn my place and defend the goal of Paris Saint-Germain," he wrote.
"Unfortunately, someone has decided that I can no longer be part of the group and contribute to the team's success. I am disappointed and disheartened.
"I hope to have the opportunity to look the fans at the Parc des Princes in the eyes one more time and say goodbye as it should be done. If that doesn't happen, I want you to know that your support and affection mean the world to me, and I will never forget it."
Donnarumma is in the final year of his deal and has yet to pen fresh terms, leading PSG to snap up Lille shot-stopper Lucas Chevalier during the transfer window. However, United's cross-city rivals Manchester City could possibly make a move for Donnarumma, despite welcoming James Trafford back to provide competition for Ederson.
PSG's choice to axe Donnarumma from their Super Cup squad suggests the keeper is set to depart the French giants. When asked about his client's future, Donnarumma's agent Enzo Raiola didn't dismiss the prospect of a switch to England.
"Gigio is very disappointed, I'm shocked, I didn't expect this from PSG," Raiola said, as reported by Gazzetta dello Sport. "We've had so many seasons of respect and success, a castle of four years has collapsed in ten days.
"The situation went on for a long time because PSG had offered lower terms in the spring, which Gigio had accepted out of respect for the club and the fans. However, in March-April, once we had decided to move forward together, the club changed the rules again. So we preferred to talk about it again after the Champions League final.
"We spoke again after the [Club] World Cup, they confirmed the situation, and I replied that Gigio would respect his contract but would not renew. Then, in the last ten days, PSG changed everything again. It's a lack of respect, beyond the technical decisions the coach talks about, and in the coming days we will also discuss with my lawyers how to address the situation.
"We will consider solutions now, maybe in the Premier League there will be clubs able to pay what's needed. Paris Saint-Germain are asking for big money. They talk about respect, but it's only about the money."
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