Gary Neville believes that Manchester City should have moved to sign Harry Maguire ahead of Manchester United.
United landed the England international from Leicester City this summer in a world-record deal despite interest from City.
Pep Guardiola had been keen on signing the 26-year-old but elected not to challenge United after being put off by the price tag.
City look to now have lost Aymeric Laporte to a serious-looking knee injury after he was stretchered off during the first half at Brighton on Saturday.
Neville thinks that the injury will cost City in the title race with Liverpool and they should have looked to sign Maguire in the summer to replace Vincent Kompany.
Speaking on Sky Sports' Gary Neville Podcast, he explained: "If Laporte is out for a long period of time, I think it will cost City points. He is a dominant centre-back. He is a brilliant player, Laporte.
"I just look at it and think it’s a real worry. Maguire would have been ideal.
"I think Manchester United did really well to get him, and I’m surprised City didn’t go with them to get him - maybe they did and maybe they pulled out with the money or whatever it was.
"I just think Kompany leaving - he was an old-fashioned, throw your head at it centre-back in both boxes.
"When you go to certain grounds in the Premier League and you have seen it today (Sunday) when balls are flying into the box, Kompany (would be) stood tall.
"That’s the one downer out of the weekend for Manchester City.
"I think Liverpool will be confident going into the international break, and they probably don’t want the international break to come."
