Jordan Pickford not a "dominant" goalkeeper, says Gary Neville amid Man United speculation

Aditya Devavrat 16:49 19/11/2018
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  • Jordan Pickford.

    Gary Neville has cast doubt over Everton and England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford’s suitability for Manchester United, amid reports linking him with a move.

    United are anxious over the future of David De Gea, who has been their No1 since 2011 but is yet to sign a new contract, with his current one running out in the summer of 2019.

    The club can trigger a 12-month extension, and are likely to do so, but De Gea’s future at United remains uncertain.

    Thus, speculation regarding a move for a replacement is understandable, but Neville is unsure Pickford would be the right target, saying the England No1 makes him “nervous”.

    “I thought he was a risk before the World Cup,” Neville told Sky Sports. “It was one of the points I was most nervous about.

    David De Gea is yet to sign a new United deal.

    David De Gea is yet to sign a new United deal.

    “I actually think international football suits him a lot in the sense of the way the team play. I think the fact you get more time to play out from the back than you normally would in the Premier League.”

    However, Neville added Pickford is “winning me over slowly”.

    Pickford became the most expensive British goalkeeper ever last summer when Everton paid Sunderland £25million for his services. He was an integral member of the England side that reached the World Cup semi-finals this summer.

    But former United captain Neville says the 24-year-old is not as “dominant” as a goalkeeper should be, despite his great shot-stopping ability.

    “He’s not my idea of what a goalkeeper would be. I always thought a keeper should be dominant,” added the United icon.

    “There are so many keepers now of his ilk and his stature and his ability in terms of agility that you have to change with the times.

    “I was always of the Peter Schmeichel [style of goalkeeper], the big presence. He [Pickford] doesn’t look huge in goal but is agile and does make great saves.”

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