Former Manchester United captain Gary Neville has identified Liverpool midfielder Ryan Gravenberch as a player he would want his former club to sign. Neville expressed this view during an appearance on The Overlap podcast, highlighting Manchester United‘s pressing need for midfield reinforcements.
Gravenberch joined Liverpool in August 2023. He was part of a significant midfield overhaul that also saw the arrivals of Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Wataru Endo. Under Arne Slot, Gravenberch became a key figure in the team. He made 12 Premier League starts in Jurgen Klopp‘s final season before transitioning to a number six role under Slot, where he featured in 37 of Liverpool‘s 38 games during their 2024/25 Premier League-winning campaign.
Manchester United has been actively seeking to strengthen their midfield throughout the summer. The club recently confirmed the signing of Brazilian midfielder Andrey Santos from Chelsea. Additionally, they are reportedly set to acquire Aston Villa‘s Youri Tielemans after activating his release clause.
Neville’s assessment of midfield needs
During the Q&A session for The Overlap, Neville was asked which player from Andoni Iraola‘s team he would choose for Manchester United. He stated, “I’d go Gravenberch. If you said to me now, I’d take Gravenberch because I think he’s the best of the three midfielders and we need a midfielder desperately.”
Neville acknowledged that while other players like Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak did not immediately stand out to him, and he considered Hugo Ekitike and Dominik Szoboszlai, Gravenberch was his preferred choice. This sentiment underscores the perceived urgency for midfield strengthening at Old Trafford, a position identified as a priority following Michael Carrick‘s appointment as head coach.
Manchester United had previously invested significantly in their attack ahead of the 2025/26 season, bringing in Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha, and Bryan Mbeumo. However, the midfield area remained a concern, leading to the current focus on reinforcements.
Comparing attacking options and managerial preferences
When asked about Liverpool‘s attacking players, Neville indicated that he would not swap any of them for Manchester United‘s current forwards such as Mbeumo, Cunha, Bruno Fernandes, or Amad. He noted that while Liverpool‘s forwards have potential, they have not yet proven themselves to the extent of those at Manchester United.
In a separate discussion, Neville was asked which manager in world football he would have most liked to play under. He promptly named Jurgen Klopp, citing Klopp‘s football philosophy and personality. Neville expressed admiration for Liverpool‘s style of play during Klopp‘s tenure, particularly highlighting the team’s aggressive approach and electric attack.
He specifically recalled the period when Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah, and Roberto Firmino were at their peak, describing them as a “proper front three” that was devastating in attack. Neville also praised Liverpool‘s aggressive backline, mentioning Virgil van Dijk, Andy Robertson, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Alisson as key figures in their defensive strength.
Despite Gravenberch being under contract at Anfield until 2032, making a transfer unlikely, Neville’s comments highlight the midfielder’s perceived value. Michael Owen is noted as the last player to have played for both Liverpool and Manchester United, achieving Premier League and League Cup titles during his time in Manchester.
Manchester United‘s ongoing efforts to rebuild their midfield include the recent acquisition of Andrey Santos and advanced discussions to sign Youri Tielemans.
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Source: liverpoolecho.co.uk
Sam Whitlock is a Sports News Writer at News-GB.org. He moved from local newspapers into digital sport. He focuses on rugby union, golf and boxing and is known for clear, deadline-driven reporting. He holds a degree in Journalism from the University of Gloucestershire and completed an NCTJ diploma. Now based in Gloucester, he plays amateur rugby and follows the fight game. “Clarity beats cleverness in breaking sport news.”