Gary Neville won't be happy as Man Utd close in on mega-money Benjamin Sesko transfer

Gary Neville's hopes of Manchester United signing six new players look to be in tatters as the club closes in on a big-money deal for Benjamin Sesko. Ruben Amorim's side are the favourites to sign the Slovenian after he picked the Red Devils over Newcastle.

The Magpies were seemingly in pole position to sign him after RB Leipzig accepted their £78million bid. United offered a package understood to be worth around £73.8m, which has yet to be accepted by the German side.

Sesko will be the fourth signing to arrive at Old Trafford this summer, after Paraguayan left-back Diego Leon, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo. While some may consider this to be a successful window, Neville felt United needed at least six fresh faces, including two midfielders, after this disastrous campaign last term.

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There is a chance that United will bring in more bodies, as well as Sesko, before the window closes. However, most, if not all, of United's budget will have been accommodated to the Sesko deal, meaning Neville's hopes of at least two more signings look unlikely.

United are expected to strengthen in the goalkeeping department next, but will likely only sign a backup for Andre Onana. Speaking before the Europa League final, Neville insisted that United would need a dramatic overhaul in the summer.

"Five or six players minimum [are needed] to be able to change the direction of how he (Amorim) wants to play," Neville said. "There’s at least two forwards, a central midfield player, definitely two wing backs and another centre-back.

"They need six players minimum. Ruben has been very good at identifying the players he wants out of the club; that’s really clear to everybody. The club’s job now is to get them out and get replacements in that he likes and wants in his team.”

Neville is not alone in thinking that United's recruitment team need to bring in more players. Gary Lineker insisted this week that they 'needed a lot more,' while Alan Shearer said on the Rest is Football podcast: “Two good signings… they need at least another three, I would say. They need a top-class centre-forward and goalkeeper.”

If a move for Sesko is completed, United will have signed three forwards and one left-wing-back. However, in the case of 18-year-old Leon, it's currently uncertain as to whether United see him as a first-team player or as someone who will go into their under-21s side.

If Sesko arrives, United's transfer outlay will surpass the £200m mark, likely closing their spending unless they can recoup some big fees for Alejandro Garnacho, Jadon Sancho and Antony.

Despite Amorim significantly strengthening his attack, which was a real problem area for United last season, Neville won't be totally satisfied with their business, given that he wanted more midfielders and defenders to join the club.

He is, however, pleased with the personnel that have been brought in. He told Sky Sports: "Manchester United over the last ten or 11 years have accepted a position whereby they've made mistakes in the transfer market or in recruitment or they've held onto players too long.

"It would seem that what's happening now is Ruben Amorim is identifying players he does not want in the squad and he's moving them out. That's a positive and on paper I do like the signings of Cunha and Mbeumo.

"Why do I like them? They've got Premier League experience, they look more like Manchester United styles of players with a bit more pace and power and the physicality to get from box to box quickly.

"I think when you look at Garnacho, Sancho and Antony are more jinkers, more people who work in tight spaces. I've always felt that United need players that can open their legs up and really stretch teams and I think Cunha and Mbeumo do that."

United's new arrivals and current crop of stars will need to be at their best when the Premier League starts. They have home clashes against Arsenal, Burnley and Chelsea and away matches against Fulham, Manchester City and Brentford in their first six matches of the new campaign.

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