Gary Neville insists Manchester United can still attract the world’s biggest stars – despite Matthijs de Ligt’s impending move to Barcelona.

Man Utd are convinced the Ajax defender is on his way to Camp Nou, despite interest from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

But Neville has brushed off the prospect of missing out on the most sought-after centre back in Europe – saying even Sir Alex Ferguson missed out on big names during the club’s glory years.

“The money in the game now means you're always in competition,” he said. “The club has lost players when it was successful to Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich. We lost (Arjen) Robben to Chelsea in the mid 2000s, we lost (Samir) Nasri to City. Don't always think that when Sir Alex Ferguson was here it didn't happen.

“This club lost players when it was successful to some of the biggest clubs in Europe that are competing with United.

The Man Utd players who should leave… and the ones they cannot lose 27 show all The Man Utd players who should leave… and the ones they cannot lose 1/27 Our Manchester Football Correspondent James Robson considers which Man Utd players should leave this summer… 2/27 David de Gea Can United really afford to risk losing him for nothing at the end of next season. If he won’t sign a new deal this summer, it might be time to cash in.



VERDICT: Sell (if he doesn’t sign) Getty Images 3/27 Sergio Romero Probably the best reserve keeper in the Premier League. Never lets United down – and would have a case to be No1 if De Gea goes.



VERDICT: Keep PA 4/27 Lee Grant Third choice keeper, who allows the highly-rated Joel Pereira to get experience on loan.



VERDICT: Keep Manchester United via Getty Images 5/27 Joel Pereira There are great hopes for him, but needs regular game-time to establish himself.



VERDICT: Loan AFP/Getty Images 6/27 Victor Lindelof One of United’s most improved players this season and someone Solskjaer should look to make the bedrock of his rebuild. Needs a top class partner to bring the best out of him.



VERDICT: Keep Getty Images 7/27 Eric Bailly So much hope for him when he arrived, but a debilitating injury record, along with his rash decision-making have curtailed his progress.



VERDICT: Sell Man Utd via Getty Images 8/27 Phil Jones Just signed a new long-term contract – and despite widespread derision, remains a valuable squad member.



VERDICT: Keep Man Utd via Getty Images 9/27 Chris Smalling Like Jones, eyebrows were raised when he was handed a new deal, but has impressed alongside Lindelof and remains an effective option.



VERDICT: Keep Action Images via Reuters 10/27 Marcos Rojo Woeful injury record and has failed to convince on the increasingly rare occasions he makes it onto the pitch. Long contract and high wages make him difficult to offload.



VERDICT: Sell Getty Images 11/27 Ashley Young His form has fallen off a cliff since signing his new contract recently. Can only be considered as back-up full back next season.



VERDICT: Keep Getty Images 12/27 Diogo Dalot Has shown promise – particularly as an attacking option this season – but remains raw defensively. United’s interest in Aaron Wan-Bissaka points to his failure to establish himself.



VERDICT: Keep AFP/Getty Images 13/27 Antonio Valencia Out of contract and on the way out. It has been a miserable final chapter for the winger-turned-right back as a virtual spectator this season.



VERDICT: Release AFP/Getty Images 14/27 Luke Shaw Has probably enjoyed his most consistent season. Still developing and should establish himself as one of the best left backs in Europe, given his natural talent.



VERDICT: Keep REUTERS 15/27 Matteo Darmian There’s an argument to say he’d be better back-up Young. But United could get decent money for a player who has rarely been anything other than a fringe member of the squad.



VERDICT: Sell PA 16/27 Ander Herrera He’s out of contract and on his way to Paris Saint-Germain. Would have been worth keeping – but not on a weekly wage of around £200,000-a-week.



VERDICT: Release Getty Images 17/27 Paul Pogba He’s not consistent enough, but he’s a player to build the team around. At his best, he’s proven he’s world class – he just needs the quality around him.



VERDICT: Keep PA 18/27 Juan Mata United have never seen the player who was so effective for Chelsea. Had his moments, but just too slow to fit in with Solskjaer’s plans. Out of contract, it’s time to go.



VERDICT: Release REUTERS 19/27 Andreas Pereira United have triggered a one-year extension on his contract, so now it’s up to him to prove he deserves a longer deal.



VERDICT: Keep AFP/Getty Images 20/27 Fred So far his greatest contribution to United has been the fact that his name conveniently fits into ‘Ole’s at the wheel.’ By any reasonable measure, you’d be looking to sell on the basis of his first season, but Solskjaer can’t get rid of everyone.



VERDICT: Keep (for now) Getty Images 21/27 Nemanja Matic Looks to be in decline and turns 31 in August. Can do a job, but questionable whether he can be a regular starter next season.



VERDICT: Keep Action Images via Reuters 22/27 Scott McTominay Has shown glimpses of the potential United’s coaches have long seen in him. Definitely a decent option next season, if not yet ready to be part of Solskjaer’s strongest midfield.



VERDICT: Keep AFP/Getty Images 23/27 Jesse Lingard Has made his critics eat their words. Fast, good touch, eye for goal and versatile – he offers so much to United’s attack and is only likely to get better.



VERDICT: Keep Getty Images 24/27 Alexis Sanchez His move from Arsenal has been little short of a disaster. An injury-plagued campaign haven’t helped – but he’s looked miles off the pace whenever he’s stepped onto the pitch.



United desperately need to find someone to take him off their hands – but on £450,000-a-week…



VERDICT: Sell Getty Images 25/27 Romelu Lukaku Still has a decent strike rate and will take some replacing – but he just doesn’t fit Solskjaer’s system.



United would hope to get close to the £75m he cost them – but how far will that money go when it comes to finding a striker good enough to lead their attack?



VERDICT: Sell AFP/Getty Images 26/27 Marcus Rashford Has established himself as Solskjaer’s leading man – but desperately needs to improve his finishing and decision making. So much and technique on the ball, but doesn’t look like a natural goal-scorer yet.



VERDICT: Keep Getty Images 27/27 Anthony Martial For a spell this season he looked every bit the heir to Thierry Henry that he was once considered. But Solskjaer has rarely been able to get a tune out of him and is frustrated by his failure to score ugly goals. Still, he has tremendous potential.



VERDICT: Keep Getty Images 1/27 Our Manchester Football Correspondent James Robson considers which Man Utd players should leave this summer… 2/27 David de Gea Can United really afford to risk losing him for nothing at the end of next season. If he won’t sign a new deal this summer, it might be time to cash in.



VERDICT: Sell (if he doesn’t sign) Getty Images 3/27 Sergio Romero Probably the best reserve keeper in the Premier League. Never lets United down – and would have a case to be No1 if De Gea goes.



VERDICT: Keep PA 4/27 Lee Grant Third choice keeper, who allows the highly-rated Joel Pereira to get experience on loan.



VERDICT: Keep Manchester United via Getty Images 5/27 Joel Pereira There are great hopes for him, but needs regular game-time to establish himself.



VERDICT: Loan AFP/Getty Images 6/27 Victor Lindelof One of United’s most improved players this season and someone Solskjaer should look to make the bedrock of his rebuild. Needs a top class partner to bring the best out of him.



VERDICT: Keep Getty Images 7/27 Eric Bailly So much hope for him when he arrived, but a debilitating injury record, along with his rash decision-making have curtailed his progress.



VERDICT: Sell Man Utd via Getty Images 8/27 Phil Jones Just signed a new long-term contract – and despite widespread derision, remains a valuable squad member.



VERDICT: Keep Man Utd via Getty Images 9/27 Chris Smalling Like Jones, eyebrows were raised when he was handed a new deal, but has impressed alongside Lindelof and remains an effective option.



VERDICT: Keep Action Images via Reuters 10/27 Marcos Rojo Woeful injury record and has failed to convince on the increasingly rare occasions he makes it onto the pitch. Long contract and high wages make him difficult to offload.



VERDICT: Sell Getty Images 11/27 Ashley Young His form has fallen off a cliff since signing his new contract recently. Can only be considered as back-up full back next season.



VERDICT: Keep Getty Images 12/27 Diogo Dalot Has shown promise – particularly as an attacking option this season – but remains raw defensively. United’s interest in Aaron Wan-Bissaka points to his failure to establish himself.



VERDICT: Keep AFP/Getty Images 13/27 Antonio Valencia Out of contract and on the way out. It has been a miserable final chapter for the winger-turned-right back as a virtual spectator this season.



VERDICT: Release AFP/Getty Images 14/27 Luke Shaw Has probably enjoyed his most consistent season. Still developing and should establish himself as one of the best left backs in Europe, given his natural talent.



VERDICT: Keep REUTERS 15/27 Matteo Darmian There’s an argument to say he’d be better back-up Young. But United could get decent money for a player who has rarely been anything other than a fringe member of the squad.



VERDICT: Sell PA 16/27 Ander Herrera He’s out of contract and on his way to Paris Saint-Germain. Would have been worth keeping – but not on a weekly wage of around £200,000-a-week.



VERDICT: Release Getty Images 17/27 Paul Pogba He’s not consistent enough, but he’s a player to build the team around. At his best, he’s proven he’s world class – he just needs the quality around him.



VERDICT: Keep PA 18/27 Juan Mata United have never seen the player who was so effective for Chelsea. Had his moments, but just too slow to fit in with Solskjaer’s plans. Out of contract, it’s time to go.



VERDICT: Release REUTERS 19/27 Andreas Pereira United have triggered a one-year extension on his contract, so now it’s up to him to prove he deserves a longer deal.



VERDICT: Keep AFP/Getty Images 20/27 Fred So far his greatest contribution to United has been the fact that his name conveniently fits into ‘Ole’s at the wheel.’ By any reasonable measure, you’d be looking to sell on the basis of his first season, but Solskjaer can’t get rid of everyone.



VERDICT: Keep (for now) Getty Images 21/27 Nemanja Matic Looks to be in decline and turns 31 in August. Can do a job, but questionable whether he can be a regular starter next season.



VERDICT: Keep Action Images via Reuters 22/27 Scott McTominay Has shown glimpses of the potential United’s coaches have long seen in him. Definitely a decent option next season, if not yet ready to be part of Solskjaer’s strongest midfield.



VERDICT: Keep AFP/Getty Images 23/27 Jesse Lingard Has made his critics eat their words. Fast, good touch, eye for goal and versatile – he offers so much to United’s attack and is only likely to get better.



VERDICT: Keep Getty Images 24/27 Alexis Sanchez His move from Arsenal has been little short of a disaster. An injury-plagued campaign haven’t helped – but he’s looked miles off the pace whenever he’s stepped onto the pitch.



United desperately need to find someone to take him off their hands – but on £450,000-a-week…



VERDICT: Sell Getty Images 25/27 Romelu Lukaku Still has a decent strike rate and will take some replacing – but he just doesn’t fit Solskjaer’s system.



United would hope to get close to the £75m he cost them – but how far will that money go when it comes to finding a striker good enough to lead their attack?



VERDICT: Sell AFP/Getty Images 26/27 Marcus Rashford Has established himself as Solskjaer’s leading man – but desperately needs to improve his finishing and decision making. So much and technique on the ball, but doesn’t look like a natural goal-scorer yet.



VERDICT: Keep Getty Images 27/27 Anthony Martial For a spell this season he looked every bit the heir to Thierry Henry that he was once considered. But Solskjaer has rarely been able to get a tune out of him and is frustrated by his failure to score ugly goals. Still, he has tremendous potential.



VERDICT: Keep Getty Images

“Don't think that if United lose players now to Barcelona that this is the first time it's ever happened, it's happened before.

“It's not because of the current plight, or the coach, or the manager, or the current players it just happens sometimes. It happened during successful times too.”

Solskjaer is pursuing some of Britain’s best emerging talent in Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Daniel James and Sean Longstaff this summer after urging Ed Woodward to move away from the model of targeting marquee signings.

But Neville is convinced Old Trafford remains appealing to star names.

“I think United can still attract top end players because we've seen good players come to the club over the last six or seven years,” he added. “This club will never move away from being a sensational football club, it will have difficult moments. And, it's having a difficult time.

“This summer obviously is a big one, Ole needs to rest himself now, but then hopefully the team, the coach, the fans can have a great season next year.

“That’s what every Manchester United fan hopes for. It’s an amazing football club, and this football club will never change. It will have bad moments, it will have good moments, it will have difficult moments, it will have tragedy. But it will always be a big football club, a huge football club that is magic and we should never forget that.”