Is Gary Neville correct? Should Man Utd have signed a striker this summer?

With the signings of Raphael Varane and Jadon Sancho, it’s widely believed that Manchester United have enjoyed a stellar transfer window this summer.

In fact, research suggests the club’s supporters are happier with their business than any other set of fans in England’s top flight.

However, one man who feels United could have done more is Gary Neville, with the ex-defender claiming on Sky Sports’ first Monday Night Football of 2021/22 that his former side should have targeted a top-quality striker in the off-season, in particular, Harry Kane.

But is he right? Should Ole Gunnar Solskjaer have moved for the England captain this summer?

What did Neville say?

“I’m struggling to understand why United aren’t going that extra step in this transfer window. Sancho was £70m but that was last year’s money.

"In regards to United, they’ve always gone after the best English or British player in the Premier League, historically. Why is [Anthony] Martial, [Daniel] James, [Jesse] Lingard, you’re talking about offloading wages there and potentially getting a transfer fee in, why are they not going in for Harry Kane this week?

"I think if Kane went to United, they could get up to 90-95 points. They still need to replace [Edinson] Cavani and Martial next summer. Martial isn’t going to do it, Cavani only has one year left. They’re going to have to buy a centre-forward at some point, why not get the man now and give Ole the impetus he needs to get to that points total. I don’t think he can with just Sancho and Varane.

"I think personally that Kane would be a differentiator. I’m just asking the question as to why they’re not in for them.”

Is he right about Cavani and Martial?

Yes, pretty much. Cavani signed a one-year extension in the summer and it seems unlikely he’ll stick around after that. Regardless, the Uruguayan turns 35 in February and isn’t a long-term solution for Solskjaer.

As for Martial, Neville may well be correct that the No.9 doesn’t have what it takes to cut it as United’s leading striker - Sunday’s lethargic performance at Southampton would certainly suggest so. However, obtaining a significant fee for such an inconsistent player could be an issue for United.

Mason Greenwood also remains an option for Solskjaer through the middle. The youngster started in that role against Leeds United and the Red Devils looked much more potent in attack with Greenwood spearheading moves. If United are looking for a long-term solution up front, the England international could well provide the answer for Solskjaer.

Could United afford Kane?

While Neville’s argument largely stacked up, the assumption that United could easily part with £150m to sign Kane was surprising, especially given they’ve already forked out over £100m on Varane and Sancho. Even their wealthy neighbours across the city have struggled to pay the required fee to oust Kane from Spurs, while there is also financial fair play to consider, even if it’s impact appears to wane with every passing year.

United have lost significant income due to the pandemic and the Glazers, who are renowned for keeping an eye on the balance sheets, seem unlikely to spend around a quarter of a billion pounds in the current market.

Who else is in the mix?

Of course, Harry Kane isn’t the only world-class striker out there and at 28 there’s an argument United could invest in a more long-term option. Last week, ESPN reported that the Red Devils were monitoring Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland and Lautaro Martinez - along with Kane - as potential recruits next summer.

Should they have signed a striker this summer?

As always, Neville’s comments carry plenty of weight and merit. The former right-back is probably correct that United need to recruit a new striker, although Greenwood’s emergence in that role shouldn’t be discounted. Kane would undoubtedly make a great addition and propel the Red Devils into the realms of title favorites.

However, United also headed into this summer with other deficiencies in their squad, namely on the right wing. Sancho’s arrival resolved that particular issue, while Raphael Varane’s signing is a definite improvement on Victor Lindleof. But Solskjaer has yet to address the weaknesses in centre-midfield and United desperately need a holding player to sit alongside the energetic Scott McTominay in the centre of the park.

With three key areas requiring improvements over the summer, it’s no surprise Solskjaer opted for a short-term solution up front and offered Cavani a one-year extension. There’s also a sense of unfinished business with the former Paris Saint-Germain forward after a stop-start campaign in 2020/21 still yielded 17 goals in all competitions, while Cavani is yet to play for United in front of a full Old Trafford.

So perhaps, in this instance, Neville’s comments are just slightly off the mark with regards to Kane, but recruiting a top-quality defensive midfielder and striker should remain Solskjaer’s priority in the next year.