Gary Neville names one signing ‘exposed’ Man Utd must make after Fulham draw

Gary Neville expects Manchester United to sign a midfielder in the final week of the summer transfer window, convinced Ruben Amorim has lost faith in Kobbie Mainoo.

United have taken just one point from their opening two games of the new Premier League season, held to a 1-1 draw against Fulham at Craven Cottage on Sunday.

Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro have started in a midfield two in each of those games with Manuel Uagrte summoned from the bench on Sunday and last week against Arsenal.

Mainoo meanwhile is still to feature this season with Amorim revealing after the draw at Fulham the 20-year-old is now in direct competition with his captain Fernandes for one of those roles.

United explored a move to sign Brighton star Carlos Baleba earlier this month but Brighton’s huge valuation, in the excess of £100million, means a deal is unlikely this summer.

Sevilla’s Lucien Agoume and Sporting CP captain Morten Hjulmand have been linked with moves as possible alternatives.

But after seeing familiar ‘acres of space’ open up in United’s ‘exposed’ midfield areas against Fulham, Neville believes it is a position United must strengthen ahead of transfer deadline day on 1 September.

‘I think United have to do a piece of business in central midfield,’ Neville told the Sky Sports Podcast.

‘I would have like to have thought Kobbie Mainoo could step up and be that person. But it is quite clear at this moment in time, Amorim is not having him.

‘He starts with Bruno and Casemiro, then he puts Mason Mount back in there and then brings Manuel Ugarte on ahead of him which tells us he is fourth choice.

‘That means they are going to have to get something sorted because it is a problem.

‘The two in there, they do get exposed when the front three are a little bit higher and that back five gets pushed back. Acres of space can open up.’

United do look to be on course to wrap up one piece of business before the window closes having agreed personal terms with Antwerp goalkeeper Senne Lammens.