But the Reds can take pride at extending their unbeaten run, says United legend
Friday 2 January 2015 20:30, UK
Manchester United are on course to qualify for the Champions League but their injury-plagued squad may need strengthening in January, particularly in defensive and midfield areas, according to Gary Neville.
United were held to a 1-1 draw at Stoke on New Year’s Day with Radamel Falcao’s strike cancelling out Ryan Shawcross’ second-minute opener.
And speaking after the game at the Britannia Stadium, Neville admitted he would not be shocked if boss Louis van Gaal looked to bolster his squad for the second half of the season.
“It wouldn’t surprise me if United strengthened in January,” Neville told Football Special.
“I think all the noise from Van Gaal and the club in the last few months is that business isn’t finished and they’ve not completed the rebuilding yet.
“I think when you look at defensive and midfield areas; they are really the main areas you would look at, at this moment in time. But I think United will strengthen in the transfer market if they can do business.
“If United can stay where they are and finish third this season then that will be a good season. I think anybody at the start of the season would have said getting back into the Champions League was the aim and then next season they have to challenge for the title.
“But in terms of small steps at a time, the ambition this season was to get back into the Champions League and they’re on track for that.
“That’s where Van Gaal will be at, he said he would win the title within his three years and I think this year was always about getting the squad ready and learning the way in which he wants them to play.
They’re still suffering a little bit with injuries. I think all the noise from Van Gaal and the club in the last few months is that business isn't finished and they've not completed the rebuilding yet. It wouldn't surprise me if United strengthened in January.
“They’re still suffering a little bit with injuries, Van Gaal has talked about having to get used to his types of training in three or four months. But they keep losing players and that will be a problem for him that needs to be resolved."
A victory in the Potteries would have seen United climb to within four points of rivals Manchester City and further consolidate their hold on a top-four position, but they were unable to break down Stoke in the second half.
Despite signs of improvement from his former club, and the continuation of their unbeaten run, Neville argued United were still short of being their dominant former selves, but felt they may have fallen victim to the adverse weather conditions at Stoke.
“United are definitely improving,” Neville added.
“Last year they lost at Stoke and when you think of Arsenal, who are one of the Champions League contenders, a few weeks ago getting messed around at the Britannia, United have got through this game. I think they could have lost three points and they haven’t done and the unbeaten run continues.
“They looked to have Falcao back today and I thought the performance suffered when he went off. He was tenacious, he grew in the game and, unless he was suffering from something, I was surprised he came off because I thought United actually dipped in performance after that.
“In terms of improvement from last season, of course there has been improvement. In terms of getting back to where Manchester United have been in the last 20 to 25 years then no, they're not quite there yet. They’re not at that level yet, or else they would have been winning games like today.
“United have come out of the Christmas period well because they’re unbeaten but I think Van Gaal, who is a performance man, will still be frustrated at certain aspects of the performance and the passing.
“It was so difficult out there today, when it’s windy at the Britannia it just levels everything and United’s game is based around solely passing with Mata, Rooney, Carrick, Van Persie and Falcao and I have to say they struggled at times and Stoke put them under big pressure.
“I think Stoke, if anybody, deserved to win the game but for United the plus point is that they’ve actually come out of the game and they’ve not lost.”
