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 need for midfield reinforcements.
Gravenberch joined Liverpool in August 2023. He was part of a significant midfield overhaul for the club, which also included the signings of Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Wataru Endo. Initially, Gravenberch made a limited number of Premier League starts in Jurgen Klopp’s final season. However, he reportedly flourished under Arne Slot in a No.6 role, featuring in 37 of Liverpool’s 38 games during their 2024/25 Premier League-winning campaign.
Manchester United has been active in strengthening their squad, particularly in midfield. 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. Despite these additions, Neville believes the midfield remains an area of concern for Manchester United, especially following Michael Carrick’s appointment as head coach.
Neville’s assessment of midfield options
During the Q&A session on The Overlap, Neville was asked to name a Liverpool player he would bring to Old Trafford. He stated, “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.” He considered other players like Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitike, and Dominik Szoboszlai but ultimately settled on Gravenberch.
Neville acknowledged the potential of Liverpool’s attacking players but indicated he would not swap them for Manchester United’s Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha, Bruno Fernandes, or Amad Diallo. He commented that while Liverpool’s forwards are good and have potential, they “haven’t proved it yet.” This further underscored his focus on Gravenberch as the most suitable target for Manchester United’s immediate needs.
Gravenberch is currently under contract at Anfield until 2032, which suggests a move away would be challenging. However, Neville’s comments highlight the perceived value he could bring to Michael Carrick’s squad at Manchester United, particularly given the club’s ongoing efforts to rebuild its midfield.
Admiration for Klopp’s Liverpool
In a separate discussion, Neville was asked which manager he would have most liked to play under. He promptly named Jurgen Klopp, citing the manager’s football philosophy and personality. Neville expressed admiration for Klopp’s Liverpool team, even though he considers them a rival club.
He described Klopp’s teams as playing a “proper game of football,” always pushing forward and being “electric in attack.” Neville specifically recalled the period when Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah, and Roberto Firmino were at their peak, forming a “devastating” front three. He also praised the aggressive backline, including Virgil van Dijk, Andy Robertson, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Alisson Becker, whom he considered the best goalkeeper in the world at the time.
Neville’s appreciation for Klopp’s style and the performance of his Liverpool teams over several years was evident. He noted that the team’s relentless approach and attacking prowess made them compelling to watch, even for a rival. The former Manchester United player’s comments reflect a recognition of the quality and impact Klopp had on Liverpool during his tenure.
The discussion around Gravenberch and Klopp provides insight into Neville’s views on player recruitment and managerial impact within the Premier League. Manchester United’s pursuit of midfield talent continues with the recent signing of Andrey Santos and ongoing talks for Youri Tielemans.
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Source: liverpoolecho.co.uk
Dominic Hayes is the Sports News Writer at NewsGB, covering rugby union, golf and boxing with five years of reporting experience. He started on a north-east sports desk. He holds a degree in Journalism from Teesside University and completed an NCTJ diploma. Based in Middlesbrough, he follows pro golf and amateur boxing. “Fast and accurate is the only standard worth keeping.”
