Manchester United know all too well that the departure of a talismanic, long-serving manager creates a void that can be impossible to fill.
And while Arne Slot kicked off the post-Jurgen Klopp era at Liverpool with a win on Saturday – triumphing 2-0 over Kieran McKenna’s Ipswich Town – lest we forget that David Moyes’ Manchester United reign started with silverware at Wembley and a 4-1 hammering of Swansea City.
The simple fact that this is Liverpool’s first season without the grinning, occasionally gurning German, is enough for Gary Neville to place United above their North West rivals in his pre-season predictions.
Neville is convinced that his beloved Red Devils have a better shot at the Champions League places than the Merseyside giants.
Now, the disastrous Moyes era at Old Trafford, plus Unai Emery’s struggles at an Arsene Wenger-less Arsenal, do not prove that Slot is destined to fail at Anfield. He inherits a strong squad full of proven Premier League experience alongside no shortage of young talent.
But Neville believes that – with Liverpool missing out on another leading midfield target in Martin Zubimendi – the centre of the park is one area where Man United’s own options are a superior at present.
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Gary Neville pits Manchester United against Liverpool
“If I look at Manchester United’s midfield players…,” Neville tells Monday Night Football on Sky Sports.
“I do think Liverpool, with (Wataru) Endo, (Dominik) Szoboszlai and (Alexis) Mac Allister, they’ve done unbelievably well to get the performance levels out of those three that they have.
“I really do question that that midfield is going to stand up throughout the season. And, if it does again, I take my hat off to them.
“Well done. Unbelievable. Prove me wrong.”
Liverpool arguably still do not have a replacement for the long-since departed Fabinho, Zubimendi going the same way as Romeo Lavia and Moises Caicedo when rebuffing their advances.
Manuel Ugarte deal progressing with PSG
Now, the cynics will argue that the number six spot is an Achilles heel for Man United too. Casemiro, despite improved displays against Man City and in Friday’s 1-0 win over Fulham, is still a cause for concern.
Though that problem could be solved by the signing of Manuel Ugarte from Paris Saint-Germain.
Talks are seemingly progressing well, with Fabrizio Romano reporting that a compromise could be reached via a loan deal with an obligation-to-buy clause in the contract of the tough-tackling Uruguay international.
Neville, meanwhile, believes that the depth at Erik ten Hag’s disposal is greater than that at Arne Slot’s fingertips. Particularly if Scott McTominay – so often United’s matchwinner last season – stays put.
“I think Manchester United have got more in midfield,” adds the eight-time Premier League winner. “I think they’ve got more depth, and they’ve got good players in there.
“Kobbie Mainoo, who’s coming into that now, alongside Casemiro. (Bruno) Fernandes is in there, Mason Mount’s in there, McTominay is in there…”
Man United’s midfield structure was nothing short of a disaster last term. But with Casemiro looking fitter and leaner, with a pressing monster in Mount fit again, and Mainoo now fully settled as a first-team regular, improvements were clear to see against City and Fulham.
Ugarte’s arrival would be another step in the right direction.
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