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This article is part of Football FanCast's Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers...

Speaking on Monday Night Football, Gary Neville has admitted Manchester United have taken a "step backwards" in order to move forward with their new era.

What did he say?

The Red Devils have failed to win the Premier League since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson, and a miserable campaign last season ended with them finishing in sixth and thus missing out on Champions League football.

Now, Neville has revealed the club are "nowhere near" contesting for the league title, and insisted a change from their old transfer policy is needed.

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He said: "I actually think United have taken a step backwards but a step in the right direction to go forwards because enough is enough of all these 30-year-old players coming in, not suiting the style. They've got to stop that because it's not worked for the club.

"Top four and winning a trophy would be a successful season. That's where Manchester United are at. That is unacceptable in terms of where United need to be, but they are incapable - after six or seven years of poor recruitment - of going from seventh, sixth or fifth into first. They are nowhere near that at this moment in time.

"I think being on the right track this season is more important than fifth, fourth or third. People have to start liking the team again."

United can't afford to wait

Neville's long-term vision for the club is admirable. The United legend is saying all the cliche things about how this rebuild is going to take a number of transfer windows and there isn't a quick fix. And to all intents and purposes, he's right. But the Red Devils simply cannot afford to just let seasons pass them by as part of their 'transition' period.

Reports in recent weeks have suggested Solskjaer's side are interested in landing Borussia Dortmund starlet Jadon Sancho next summer. Without Champions League football or a realistic marker that the club are contending for the big prizes again, why on earth would the England international want to head to Old Trafford?

As such, United would have to settle for transfer targets who may be second or third on their short-list, and it essentially becomes a vicious cycle.

Neville's comments are understandable, but they need to be assessed in the cold light of the day. A club of United's size should never consider a backwards step the right thing to do. Both Solskjaer and the club don't have the time to simply be on the "right track" to future success. They need it immediately.