EPL: Gary Neville reveals what caused Man United problems

Former Manchester United defender, Gary Neville, has said that the club is being hunted by a defensive transfer mistake it made in 2015.

Neville pointed out that Brazilian defender Rafael Da Silva was ‘perfect’ for United and questioned former manager, Louis van Gaal’s decision to sell him.

Rafael joined United in 2008 from Fluminense and was sold to Lyon in 2015 by Van Gaal having fallen out of favour at the club.

But Neville, who was Man United’s first choice right-back for years under Alex Ferguson, noted that the club should have kept hold of Rafael.

“I thought when I left that Rafael Da Silva was perfect as a Manchester United full-back,” he told Sky Sports.

“He was tenacious, aggressive, decent on the ball, and he was sold. Maybe rightly so, I’m not sure.

“I don’t know why United have had such problems at right-back. You can’t keep signing full-backs for £15m. Over the past few years they’ve spent nearly £100m on five full-backs.

“City spent big on Kyle Walker, Danilo and Benjamin Mendy.

“Maybe United would be better buying the correct full-back first time up for £40m or £50m and have them for seven years, because it’s cost them that much in the end trying different full-backs.”