Gary Neville explains Man Utd’s ‘weakness’ compared to Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham

Gary Neville discussed the problem after Manchester United’s win over West Ham.

Manchester United icon Gary Neville has named his former side’s weakest area compared to their Premier League rivals, though it is an issue that could be solved in the January transfer window. The Red Devils sit fifth in the table following their 1-0 win over West Ham on Sunday, as Marcus Rashford scored the only goal of the game by heading home at the back post to seal all three points.

Rashford started on the left of a front three alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Anthony Elanga, as Antony and Anthony Martial missed out through injury while Jadon Sancho was on the bench. Neville has claimed that United’s forward line is weaker than their rivals, as he named Tottenham, Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea as teams with more firepower up front.

“The thing about United, you look at their front players at the moment, Son [Heung-min], [Harry] Kane, Liverpool’s front three, [Manchester] City’s front three, Chelsea with [Raheem] Sterling and [Pierre-Emerick] Aubameyang, United probably have the weakest front three at this moment in time,” Neville told Sky Sports. “But they’ve probably got something that’s happening with Erik ten Hag that’s giving them a great spirit.

“I think they’ve got a top chance of finishing in the top four now, great chance. I think there’s enough Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham for United to push through that bunch. I never would’ve thought that four, five weeks ago.”

United could bolster their attacking options in January, and have been linked with Napoli’s Victor Osimhen and Atletico Madrid striker Joao Felix, but Ten Hag has hinted that a move for a right-back could take precedence. “I’m really happy with the development of Diogo (Dalot), it’s really well done,” Ten Hag told Sky Sports.

“I think his defending positions are growing from game to game, timing, duels, better from game to game. In possession, I think he’s really good, the development is really good but I have to make a mention Manchester United need two good full-backs because we have games to cover.”

Neville was also impressed with Dalot, who has made the right-back spot his own with some stellar performances this season. “The big thing for me was he got up really early and really aggressive,” Neville added. “We talk about strikers getting up early, as a defender some of these balls that were coming on top of him were difficult.

“I thought there was one where [Harry] Maguire was next to him, he took responsibility. Before today’s game if you said to me one-on-one, back post, balls on top of Dalot, [Michail] Antonio’s with him, Antonio’s going ahead of him but he jumps early.

“He was outstanding at the back post, I’ve not seen a Manchester United full-back head like that for a long time. No… since Wes Brown.”