Roy Keane has urged Manchester United to make a statement of intent in the transfer window and make a “big, big signing”.
Under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, there have been clear signs of progression this season, with United firmly as the best of the rest in the Premier League.
United actually topped the table in the early portions of 2021, but have since fallen well behind neighbours Manchester City.
Defeat against Liverpool would mathematically end United’s title challenge and Keane believes that in order to close the gap at the top, players need to be brought in.
“I go back to recruitment United, certainly going forward they need to go and make a big, big signing, whether it be a [Harry] Kane or a [Jack] Grealish - put a marker down,” Keane told Sky Sports.
"Okay, they need another centre-half, but I still think at the top end of the pitch, when you look at some of the games this year that they’ve drawn, they’ve lacked that real bit of quality.
"They’ve got some brilliant players and I agree obviously that there’s been progress. The worry for Man United, the next step for Man United is the biggest and the hardest one - and that is to go and get that league title.
"Liverpool were brilliant last year, Man City excellent this season but United are still a bit short,” he continued.
“They've made progress and the worry for me now at United is that we’re looking at United and saying they’ve made progress, but talk about the financial side, off the pitch at Man United as if the remit for Ole will be finishing in the top four, or finishing second, wanting to get into the Champions League. But being at Man United has to be about winning trophies.”
One player whose Old Trafford future remains in doubt is Edinson Cavani. The veteran striker only signed last summer, but recent reports have claimed the Uruguayan has his heart set on a return to South America.
And Keane believes that Cavani leaving could be seen as a positive for his old side, forcing them to be active in the transfer market.
“I kind of hope in one sense they don’t keep him, because then they might look and think we don’t need to go and get another (striker),” he explained.
“He’s 34, if you’re hanging your hat on Cavani next year to getting United back to winning league titles, forget about it.
“He’ll be a back-up striker and he won’t want to be a back-up striker, so that’s why he’s reluctant to sign a new contract and there’s obviously family reasons behind it.”
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