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JOR NOT FOR ME

Man Utd target Jordan Pickford ‘is no Peter Schmeichel’ and was a ‘risk’ at World Cup, says Gary Neville

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GARY NEVILLE has astonishingly claimed Jordan Pickford is "not his idea of a goalkeeper" as the Everton man is linked with a move to Manchester United.

SunSport exclusively revealed that United will make a move for Pickford if David De Gea decides to move on.

 Jordan Pickford is seen as one of the brightest talents in England - but still has some convincing to do for Gary Neville
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Jordan Pickford is seen as one of the brightest talents in England - but still has some convincing to do for Gary NevilleCredit: Reuters

De Gea is fancied by Italian giants Juventus, who may try to buy him in the summer or wait a year until he is a free agent.

But while many think Pickford would be the perfect replacement, he still has a job convincing Old Trafford legend Neville.

The Sky Sports expert is not too confident Pickford can dominate the goal just like Peter Schmeichel did, and admits to being "nervous" seeing him play.

Speaking before Pickford kept goal for England in their Uefa Nations League game against Croatia, Neville said: "I thought he was a risk before the World Cup.

 Gary Neville admits to being 'nervous' seeing Jordan Pickford keep the goal for England at the World Cup
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Gary Neville admits to being 'nervous' seeing Jordan Pickford keep the goal for England at the World CupCredit: Crispin Rodwell - The Sun Dublin
 Peter Schmeichel is seen as United's best ever keeper by many, but doubt has been cast on whether Jordan Pickford could match those levels
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Peter Schmeichel is seen as United's best ever keeper by many, but doubt has been cast on whether Jordan Pickford could match those levelsCredit: Getty Images - Getty
England’s Jordan Pickford says 2018 has ‘been great’ as they have learned to beat ‘top sides’

"It was one of the points I was most nervous about.

"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 a the back than you normally would in the Premier League.

"I think he’s suited to international football. I was nervous about him before the World Cup but he’s winning me over slowly."

 Jordan Pickford went on to earn rave reviews from England's World Cup campaign - including this penalty shoot-out save against Colombia
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Jordan Pickford went on to earn rave reviews from England's World Cup campaign - including this penalty shoot-out save against ColombiaCredit: AP:Associated Press

Neville then suggested United should possibly add some other names to the list to replace De Gea if he indeed chooses to leave.

He added: "He’s not my idea of what a goalkeeper would be. I always though a keeper should be dominant.

"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, the big presence. He [Pickford] doesn’t look huge in goal but is agile and does make great saves.

"He doesn’t look huge in the goal. He makes great saves."

Boss Jose Mourinho has been a fan of Pickford for some time while all his staff are in the same camp.

We revealed United’s interest in February and Pickford’s reputation has soared since, with the World Cup cementing his place as England’s first choice.

Pickford signed a new deal at Everton in the summer but the chance to go to United may be too hard to resist.

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