Gary Neville tears into Man United's signings

Gary Neville has panned Manchester United's summer signings by saying he 'never thought for one second' they'd be good enough to help challenge Manchester City and Arsenal.

United spent almost £200million on new recruits including Rasmus Hojlund, Mason Mount and Andre Onana in a bid to continue the positive momentum from Erik ten Hag's first season in charge.

But after three defeats from their opening five Premier League games - the latest a dismal 3-1 home loss to Brighton - it's questionable whether United are any better off.

Old Trafford legend Neville believes United are no stronger despite the enormous outlay and insists they should have moved for Declan Rice or Harry Kane to help them bridge the gap.

'I was worried at the start of the season,' the Sky Sports pundit said on the Gary Neville Podcast.

'There was this feeling Manchester United had got their business done early in the transfer window and that was good, but I was concerned the players they had brought in wouldn't improve them from last season.

'I never thought for one second they would challenge Manchester City and Arsenal from the players that they brought in.

'That would have needed a Harry Kane-type signing or Declan Rice, as an example. They didn't have the money to do those types of signings.

'They're not very good at the moment. There's no hysteria. I went to the Brighton game as a fan thinking, 'Could I be surprised?'

'You're always optimistic. I have never walked over that forecourt at Old Trafford and not been optimistic because that's the job of a football fan going to any ground where you support your team.

'But 72,000 Manchester United fans in that stadium, who are informed and know Brighton and know their current team, I don't think any of them were