Gary Neville Predicts Where Man United Will Finish But He Says It’s Only Achievable If They Replace One Player

Manchester United can only qualify for the Champions League this season if they find a replacement for Andre Onana, according to Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville.

The ex-Red Devils captain believes his former club can finish 5th but only if a new goalkeeper is signed between now and September 1st:

“I think 5th or 6th is where you should be aiming for. I think you look at Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool and City and you think – difficult. But you need to be looking to break into that Villa, Newcastle, Spurs bracket.”

“With no Champions League football, they have to be looking at 5th and 6th. Without a goalkeeper, I think he’s 8th or 9th.”

Are Man United looking to replace Onana?

Ruben Amorim’s side did make a loan offer for Aston Villa number one Emi Martinez earlier this summer, and there is believed to be interest in Royal Antwerp shot-stopper Senne Lammens too.

However, any substantial offer for a new keeper is dependent on the club offloading Onana first. Monaco were interested in the Cameroon international back in June, but they were put off by his wage demands. Since then, talk of his departure has gone quiet, mainly because he picked up a hamstring injury.

Could the club make a move for Donnarumma?

There has been a lot of talk about the future of PSG’s Gianluigi Donnarumma. The Italian international has confirmed that he will be leaving France before the transfer window shuts.

Some reports have indicated that the 26-year-old would be open to a switch to Old Trafford, but there is no indication so far that United will make a concrete move for him.

Rivals Manchester City are said to be the only Premier League side so far to formally register their interest in Donnarumma, but there is still time for that to change.

Read more about the Manchester United First Team Squad for 2025/26 here