Gary Neville’s strange claim about Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak looks even worse by the day.
Isak is Newcastle United’s star striker, and boasting a player as supremely talented as him is surely the envy of other clubs around the world.
There’s plenty of interest in the Sweden star. Arsenal want to sign Isak, while the likes of Liverpool and Chelsea have previously been linked.
When the time comes, Newcastle plan to sell Isak to a foreign club. For now, however, he’s very much a part of the plans at St James’ Park.
Which is why it was so strange that Neville claimed Isak would want to play for Manchester United.
Clearly, Neville has a huge connection to the Old Trafford giants but it’s a take that’s getting even stranger by the day.
Photo by Harriet Massey/Getty Images
Photo by Harriet Massey/Getty Images
Manchester United give Newcastle United new reason to laugh at Alexander Isak claim
Even a former Red Devils captain would surely admit Newcastle are now a much better club in pretty much every aspect. Still, his comments from back in March are interesting to say the least.
“The reality of it is that Newcastle are a great club,” he said on the ‘It’s Called Soccer’.
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“But they [players like Isak] will want to play for Real Madrid, Liverpool, Manchester United, Bayern Munich of this world.”
The Manchester club obviously boast a much more trophy-laden history but, frankly, history is all it is.
Having lost the Europa League final in pitiful fashion, it seems the Manchester club have hit a new nadir.
Bound to finish only a few places above the Premier League relegation zone and with no European football on the calendar next season, it’s difficult to think why any elite player would want to join them over Newcastle.
The tables have turned these days.
Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images
Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images
Newcastle United shocked Gary Neville earlier this season
Neville admitted he was shocked Newcastle won the Carabao Cup in March, with Eddie Howe’s side beating Liverpool in the final at Wembley.
Again, that underlines the difference between the two clubs right now. They might have more trophies but it’s difficult to see where the next one comes from, while Newcastle are targeting more success after winning the Carabao Cup.
Isak looks set to stay at Newcastle this summer and, even if he didn’t, it’d be a major shock to see him join Manchester United of all teams.
A resurgent Manchester United could give Newcastle – and any other team in the Premier League – problems.
However, they don’t appear to be getting their act together any time soon.