Gary Neville labels Manchester United transfer window approach ‘appalling’ and says three signings are needed

The Old Trafford club have struggled at complete deals for their first-choice signings

Gary Neville says Man United have been 'appalling' in the transfer window (Getty Images)

Gary Neville has labelled Manchester United’s approach during the “appalling" after their failure to land several rumoured top-tier targets.

The Red Devils were linked with a host of attacking options earlier in the window, including Jadon Sancho, Jack Grealish and James Maddison, but each have signed new deals with their current clubs.

Left-back Sergio Reguilon similarly joined Tottenham after being linked with United, who are now suggested to be after Porto’s Alex Telles instead.

But Neville pointed to the fact other clubs have managed to get their signings done early in the “easiest” market in Premier League history in his opinion, with Liverpool, Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal and Spurs all getting top targets in ahead of the start of the season, while United have signed only Donny van de Beek, who has so far been sub in league play.

The former right-back named three positions that the club must focus on as priorities to complete deals for in the final few days, with centre-back, left-back and forward additions needed in his opinion.

The latest news regarding the Old Trafford club is that the Independent understands they are “considering a loan move” for Barcelona wide forward Ousmane Dembele.

Another bid for Sancho is possible before the deadline on 5 October, but Dembele is a fall-back option in a move which would allow Barcelona to then  move for their own attacking target, Memphis Depay.

A concern for Neville from a United standpoint, however, is that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has not been given the players he needs early enough to integrate them fully for the season ahead.

United have already lost to Crystal Palace and came close to dropping further points against Brighton, before a very late and contentious penalty decision - given after the final whistle had originally been blown - afforded Bruno Fernandes the chance to seal a dramatic win.

There are also outgoings to sort at United before the deadline, with the likes of Chris Smalling, Andreas Pereira, Sergio Romero and more all expected to depart, with no prospect of a role in the first-team.