• Premier League

Neville: United might not sign anyone

Gary Neville says he would not be surprised if Manchester United "didn't sign anybody" in what has been a difficult transfer window, but defended the club's approach as well as new chief executive Ed Woodward.

Sources close to Old Trafford maintain that the club is intent on signing three players before the window shuts, which would include Leighton Baines and Marouane Fellaini from Everton as well as one more all-round midfielder.

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The club have so far endured frustration in the pursuits of Thiago Alcantara and Cesc Fabregas, with much focus on Woodward's role in the failed bids. The new chief executive replaced David Gill this summer, which only compounded the upheaval after David Moyes came in for the retiring Alex Ferguson.

"David Gill and Sir Alex Ferguson were inseparable, a great partnership," Neville said at Sky Sports press launch for the 2013-14 season. "To have both change at once is a big upheaval at the club obviously, but you've got to remember Ed Woodward has been there for a number of years himself, so it's not like he's been parachuted in. David Moyes obviously doesn't know the club but he has gone through the system and the process the right way so you think it's the next step for him to be able to get there.

"It's not been a club that's ever worked in the immediate, it's always worked on a plan, the fact that they'll look at things objectively. It wouldn't surprise me if they didn't sign anybody. They won't spend money in a desperate manner."

Neville did, however, stress the importance of doing business early.

"I think Bayern Munich buying [Mario] Gotze, they were the clever ones. I think you've almost got to buy next season's players today.

"I think there's a few clubs are the top of the league who are now getting to the point whereby you hope, or you think they're going to do something really desperate and not get the players they want for the money and they actually spend that money on a second great player. That's what I think may happen in this next few weeks."

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