Gary Neville wants a big summer in the transfer market for Manchester United (Picture: Getty Images) Manchester United need to make six signings this summer, believes Gary Neville, who has picked out the positions that need strengthening. It looks certain that Michael Carrick will be in charge of the Red Devils next season, earning the permanent job after an impressive interim spell in charge. The club will return to the Champions League next season, having secured a third-place finish no matter what happens on the final day of the Premier League season. It will be a much busier season next time round as Manchester United return to European football and will hope to go deeper in domestic cups. Neville feels there are three positions that undoubtedly have to be filled ahead of a tougher campaign and wants three more signings made on top of that. ‘They definitely need back-up at full-back. Both sides, I would say,’ the Manchester United legend said on The Gary Neville Podcast. ‘In an ideal world you’d bring three defenders in. They need one of them [like Piero Hincapie and Ben White at Arsenal] that can play in two positions and support, then they need another top centre-back and a left-back. I think three defenders would be perfect. Casemiro waved goodbye to Old Trafford on Sunday as he prepares to leave the club (Picture: Getty Images) ‘Then they need two midfielders, in an ideal world you’d think that five would be perfect. Then if you were being really greedy you’d then swap out Mason Mount for another forward of some kind. ‘Or maybe someone like Mason Mount because you’ve got to think about the fact the Bruno who is someone who is difficult to replace and Mason Mount half does that a little bit. ‘Maybe somebody who can play in wide areas and sometimes number 10. Players like [Phil] Foden and [Cole] Palmer and [Rayan] Cherki. A flexible forward who can play number 10 if Bruno Fernandes isn’t there for whatever reason. Mason Mount could be sold this summer (Picture: Getty Images) ‘I’m asking for six players there and I don’t think I’m being greedy, it’s just how much these players cost and how smart Manchester United can be. The absolute unequivocals are a top centre-back and two top central midfield players. Absolute unequivocal. ‘But they’ve got to go and get two or three more around that to beef up the squad to enable themselves to compete and give Michael Carrick the best chance of being able to repeat the performances he’s had without the interference of Champions League games and cup competitions.’ Neville didn’t go into detail on the players who should fill these positions, except one. He watched Elliot Anderson provide two assists for Nottingham Forest against Manchester United on Sunday as the Red Devils won 3-2 and it was more evidence of the England international’s excellence. Elliot Anderson is likely to make a big move this summer (Picture: Getty Images) ‘What I like about Anderson is the fact that he looks forward and he contributes. The two crosses for the goals, were exceptional,’ said Neville of the 23-year-old. ‘I see too many crabs playing central midfield. You can’t have too many people who play five-yard passes back and sideways. You need to put players in there who are going to look forward and punch passes through the lines and have their head up. ‘Elliot Anderson can do that. He can take set pieces. So for me, he would be an outstanding candidate to come here. ‘But if you believe what you hear, Manchester City also want him, so if it’s a straight fight between the two Manchester clubs, it’ll be interesting to see who he chooses.’