Manchester United Must Sign $206M Striker; Sancho, Varane Not Enough To Win League: Gary Neville

Manchester United must attempt to sign Harry Kane this summer as the new arrivals, Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane, are not enough to win the Premier League, says former right-back Gary Neville.

Despite being heavily linked with Manchester City, Kane is still at Spurs. The two clubs have not reached an agreement yet for the English man. Spurs are reportedly demanding an asking price of around $206 million.

"I still think they'll be short. Chelsea have strengthened with Lukaku, Man City [have gone] in for Grealish and if they get Kane, there's a massive problem for Man Utd. I don't know why Man Utd aren't going that extra step this transfer window. They've always gone after the best English player in the Premier League historically. Why aren't they going in for Harry Kane?" Nevile, who played only for Manchester United throughout his playing career, told Sky Sports on Monday.

After persisting for a year, Manchester United recently secured Sancho from Borussia Dortmund at $100 million, while the Red Devils also landed defender Varane at $56 million.

"If Harry Kane entered Man Utd you get to 94, 95 points, [and] they still have to replace Cavani and Martial. Why not get the man now? I don't know if they can win the league with Sancho and Varane," added the soccer player-turned commentator.

Neville and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer were teammates at Threatre of Dreams between 1996 and 2000. While the former right-back has backed Solskjaer, who is the current boss of the Red Devils, he admitted that a failure to win a trophy in the next year and a half could end the Norwegian's managerial career at Manchester United.

"There's a massive expectation to be winning trophies, to be number one. They have to challenge for the title. The manager has to improve things quickly. The Europa League final was a bad one, that is going to hang a little bit if something doesn't go right this season. Ole deserves another 12 to 18 months, They've taken it back to their roots, but Man Utd need a center-forward in the next 12 months. Kane coming in would be the differentiator," Neville explained.

Manchester United kickstarted their 2021-22 Premier League campaign with a bang as they thrashed Leeds 5-1. That was followed by a disappointing 1-1 draw against Southampton at Old Trafford. But the game saw the Red Devils equal Arsenal's record of 27 consecutive away games without a loss in the Premier League.

Paul Pogba, who assisted Mason Greenwood's goal against Southampton, became the first-ever player in the English top-flight to register five assists after his side's first two matches of a single campaign. Earlier, he had assisted four out of United's five goals against Leeds in their opening fixture.

The Red Devils are also without their key forward Marcus Rashford, who is currently regaining full fitness following his shoulder injury. He is expected to be out of action until October.