Man Utd still need FOUR new transfer signings to become genuine Premier League title contenders, says Rio Ferdinand
RIO FERDINAND believes Manchester United need four new signings to challenge for the title this season.
United's only signing this summer has been the addition of midfielder Donny van de Beek from Ajax, while they have been frustrated in their attempts to sign long-standing target Jadon Sancho.
Napoli centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly and Real Madrid left-back Sergio Reguilon have both been linked with moves.
Former United defender Ferdinand has highlighted several areas which boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could strengthen before the Red Devils' Premier League campaign gets underway.
Ferdinand told BBC Radio 5 Live: "Yeah, I would say definitely after Van de Beek they need probably – if they’re going to really compete – three or four.
"Players that can go in and actually affect the first team, the first XI.
"And [Sergio] Reguilon we’re talking about, the lad at Sevilla who’s from Real Madrid, he was voted the best left-back in La Liga so really good credentials.
"Luke Shaw I think is unfortunate in terms of his injuries.
"He’s played games but then he hasn’t been able to sustain a full season without any injuries, which is disappointing.
"But listen, if I was looking at it and looking at the team, in the forward areas I think one or two additions.
"One definitely, maybe two, are needed that can come in and affect that first team and push people, if not start. And then I think a centre-back.
"That area, for me, is where there’s a lack of real, genuine pace and I think the best teams around at the moment have a player in one of the two players that play [at centre-back] in a four that has genuine pace normally.
"I think Liverpool are the team that’s dominated this season.
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"The two centre-backs can be sat on the halfway line, they’re sitting there purring, waiting to be taken on in a foot race back to the goal and they back themselves.
"And with that, what that does as well, it’s not just about pace – knowing how to defend as well – but what that allows is more players to be able to go forward and pin the other team back in the opposing team’s third, which is, the way the game is played today, very critical."
Manchester United play Crystal Palace on September 19 in their first Premier League game of the new season.