Neville offers Man Utd some January transfer advice

Gary Neville has urged Man Utd not to “panic” in the January transfer window despite their “need to improve the team”.

Man Utd have received plenty of criticism this season, particularly after their Champions League exit earlier this month and over their indifferent home form.

Yet results have generally been positive and they head into Christmas in good spirits, five points behind leaders Liverpool with a game in hand.

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Last weekend’s 6-2 thrashing of Leeds sparked suggestions they could yet mount an unexpected title push while Wednesday’s last-gasp 2-0 defeat of Everton in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals further boosted their silverware prospects.

Speaking after their win over Everton, Neville said (via The Metro): “I’m not sure. If the right player is there they yes, because they need to improve the team. But if its not there, I wouldn’t panic.

“They wont panic because they’ve been doing it a bit better in recent years. They’re a confusing bunch because three or four weeks ago, two weeks ago eve, you were looking at this Manchester United team and thinking it’s going to be a tough old season.

“Going out of Europe, the performance in the first half against West Ham was awful. But after tonight, the glass looks half full.

“The squad has been used, the performance against Leeds, they’re scoring goals, the depth of the squad looks good. Leicester is another big game, if they go there and win they will really be gathering confidence.

“From three weeks ago, there was a point I thought this would be a real challenge. But I think right now the fans will be happy because the players have a lot of quality.

“If they can get into a rhythm and start to produce performances over 90 minutes consistently, that bunch of players… there’s some big characters and big talents in there. It’s getting better and they are stronger and they have match-winners.”