Gary Neville: 'Manchester United will not break into the top two this season'

Manchester United are still three players short of breaking into the top two in the Premier League, according to the club's former captain Gary Neville.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side finished third in the Premier League table last term but were 11 points off second-placed Manchester City and 30 behind champions Liverpool.

United have only signed Donny van de Beek during this summer's transfer window despite being heavily lined with Borussia Dortmund attacker Jadon Sancho.

Neville has said that his former club need "to make progression from last season" but does not believe that they will be able to break into the top two in 2020-21.

"I think Manchester United are in a similar position to Chelsea. They've got to make progression from last season, and I don't have that expectation as a United fan that they're going to break that top two this season," Neville told Sky Sports News.

"I don't feel they're quite ready but they have to make sure that gap is smaller. The have to make sure they close the gap on the top two and make sure they're progressing.

"A striker, a right winger and a centre-half is a must. At some point in the next couple of years, Manchester United and Chelsea need to be ready to strike when Manchester City and Liverpool drop below that standard. That's probably going to be when Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp leave."

United will open their 2020-21 campaign at home to Crystal Palace on Saturday night.