Manchester United must spend another €127m to become title challengers, says Phil Neville

Sep 23, 2014 13:28:00
The Red Devils recruited a number of marquee players in the summer, including Angel Di Maria and Radamel Falcao, but the former defender believes another spending spree is needed
 Phil Neville believes Manchester United need to spend another £100 million (€127m) before they can be considered genuine title challengers.

The club embarked on a large spending spree in the summer, acquiring the likes of Radamel Falcao, Angel Di Maria, Daley Blind and Luke Shaw, but have secured just five points from their opening five games this season.
 Many have criticised United's failure to recruit a world-class centre-back in the summer – though the club did spend €20m on Marcos Rojo – and Neville believes further additions are required.
 "I know United have spent £150m (€190m)," he told BBC Radio 5 Live.
 "I think there's another two transfer windows of similar amounts of money needed - maybe £100m (€127m) - before they can even think about winning the title.
 "There are still key positions in the team that need filling. I think the centre-back position is obviously the key area. Holding midfield or centre midfield needs addressing too.
 "There were no world-class centre backs out there (this summer). I think that's why in the next two transfer windows, United might still be looking for that world-class defender."
 Despite his criticisms, Neville believes that both Chris Smalling and Phil Jones have bright futures at Old Trafford and insists that United must not sell off their core group of English players.
 "I am certain Chris Smalling will come good and I have full faith in Phil Jones as well," he added.
 "They've bought of a lot of foreign players, [but] you don't get rid of your English spine."
 Neville left the club at the end of last season along after the club finished seventh in the Premier League.