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Gary Neville identifies next Manchester United transfer priority after £197m splurge

Man United have drafted in four new signings so far this summer - but there is a thirst for more additions before the deadline.

Gary Neville holds a Sky Sports microphone.

Gary Neville believes Manchester United must sign a goalkeeper.(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images.)

Former Manchester United captain Gary Neville believes the club must sign a new goalkeeper to launch a genuine top six push this season.

United have been busy in the transfer window this summer, splashing out almost £200million on four new signings. They have prioritised additions in the attacking department, bringing in Matheus Cunha from Wolves, Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford and most recently Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig.

United struggled for goals last season, finishing the Premier League campaign with a negative goal difference of -10, meaning they have rightfully prioritised strengthening at the top end of the pitch. Their other summer recruit is left-sided defender Diego Leon.

After finishing 15th in the Premier League last season, United, for the first time since the 2014/15 campaign, will not compete in Europe this term, meaning full focus will be on domestic matters and attempting to secure European qualification for 2026/27.

Securing a top-four finish and clinching Champions League qualification will be United's main ambition, but the strength of others targeting the same goal could mean United have to settle for a place in potentially the Europa League or the Europa Conference League.

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Despite being encouraged by the transfer business his former club has done so far this summer, Neville believes United must strengthen between the posts to give themselves the best possible chance to break into the top six.

"Two of them are proven Premier League players, obviously they've got to step up a level, Sesko's young, he's got potential," Neville told Sky Sports, reflecting on the club's transfer business. "He's young, can he get off to a good start? That's important for him.

"Can they embed themselves at United? Can they get the probably 35-40 goals which would be par for those three players?

"If they can get 40 goals, United's goals last season was terrible, they've got a good chance of getting into that top six, but they've got to settle those three players, and we can't take that for granted anymore at United.

"If they get a goalkeeper, I think that they could get into the top six, but a lot of things have to go on."

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