Cole Palmer continues to be linked with a return to Manchester. (Image: Getty Images)
Manchester United will be looking to strengthen their hold on third place in the Premier League when they take on Bournemouth this weekend. United faced fellow Champions League hopefuls Aston Villa at Old Trafford on Sunday, bouncing back in style from last week’s defeat to Newcastle.
Casemiro, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesco all contributed to Michael Carrick’s side’s 3-1 victory. Since United parted ways with Ruben Amorim in January, the team appears to have improved and improved under interim manager. Nevertheless, United have been advised by former captain Gary Neville to properly strengthen their squad this summer, as the Champions League could return to Old Trafford next season. Meanwhile, Chelsea star Cole Palmer has been linked with a sensational move to Old Trafford.
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Chelsea midfielder Palmer could be tempted by a surprise move to United, his boyhood club. Tottenham and Newcastle icon Chris Waddle says the England star could consider a move if he becomes unhappy with his situation in west London, with the former Manchester City player enduring a difficult few months.
In an interview with Ossoon, Waddle said: “Palmer is definitely talented and I’m a big fan. I know he’s been flawed and inconsistent since he went to Chelsea.”
“We don’t know if it’s an off-the-field problem or bad luck in London, but only he can answer that. Chelsea have a lot of players, so he’s been resting, playing, resting and coming on. I think, like the players, he wants to play every game. If he’s a Manchester player and maybe a United fan, I’m sure he’ll be very tempted.”
Despite this, he warned that opportunities could be limited if Palmer were to relocate to Manchester. He added: “But with Matheus Cunha and Bruno Fernandes, only creative players can play. Will he join the team?”
“Most teams would say yes, but Fernandes and Cunha are in great form right now. Yes, Cunha can play further forward, left or right, but he prefers to move around. So where do you play Palmer? But like I said, United need to clear the decks. They probably have some older players they’re looking to get rid of.”
Gary Neville talks about Manchester United’s summer plans. (Image: Gary Neville Podcast)
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Gary Neville urges United to take action
Neville revealed the signings of four players his former team will sign this summer. United are thought to be prepared to spend big on two new midfielders to replace Casemiro, but the former right-back insists they need additional reinforcements.
Neville told Sky Sports: “The central midfield is a problem. Coby Mainu and Casemiro are doing a great job right now for Michael Carrick.”
“But every Manchester United fan in this stadium knows that it won’t be enough when we start playing in the Champions League next season.
“There’s a good chance they qualify[for qualification]and when they play a bit more in the FA Cup, the Carabao Cup and also play in the Champions League, they’ll need three or four really good midfield players. At the moment we have a midfield player that we can get, Mainu, but you can’t look at other players and think it’s going to work out.”
“Casemiro is leaving, Manuel Ugarte is leaving as well. They need two really good central midfield players. One is probably a more positional player, like a Michael Carrick type, and the other is a disruptor. There needs to be some attention at the back, but the real focus in the summer transfer window will be in midfield.”
He warned that United also needed to strengthen their defensive line, but suggested an overhaul of their backline may need to be delayed. Neville added: “They’re having problems so it might be until later in the summer (for this game) that they finally get a new centre-back.”
“The problem with the centre-backs at the moment is that our two best centre-backs, without a doubt (Matthejs) de Ligt and (Lissandro) Martinez and (Harry Maguire), are not on the pitch and that’s a big problem.
“(Luke) Shaw is playing every week and he’s more than good enough to be here every week. Let’s be clear, how long is that going to last? Can he do it next season, the season after that, and the season after that?”
