Gary Neville names Manchester United priority in summer transfer window

Former captain Gary Neville believes Manchester United need to strengthen their midfield options as an "absolute necessity" this summer while pinpointing other areas of the squad that also need bolstering.

United, following a disastrous 2021/22 Premier League campaign, are in desperate need of some much-needed adjustments to the squad this summer. The club has already confirmed that 11 players will leave Old Trafford when their contracts expire at the end of this month, including senior figures such as Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard, Juan Mata and Edinson Cavani.

Their departures mean that United have a number of gaps to fill within the squad between now and the end of the transfer window. New manager Erik ten Hag has already started identifying potential targets, with the centre of midfield understood to be a priority.

READ MORE: Frenkie de Jong can give Manchester United what Paul Pogba couldn't

The club is continuing to work on a deal to bring Frenkie de Jong to Old Trafford. The Barcelona midfielder has been identified as a top target by Ten Hag, and it is in midfield, according to Neville, where United need to make the biggest changes.

"We know the areas they absolutely need to actually strengthen," Neville told United's club website. "Central midfield is an absolute necessity. An absolute necessity. Manchester United need midfield players.

"They also need a centre forward. I know Cristiano Ronaldo is likely to stay and he's an absolutely brilliant performer, but they need a centre-forward. Centre-forward is a must.

"I think there'll need to be a wide player, just to beef up the squad, and I think full-backs are absolutely critical in the modern game [There are] four full-backs there, it'll be interesting to see