Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has urged the Red Devils to make realistic signings in the summer. He believes that the club need just four signings - two who make it to the starting XI and two youngsters who can be backups.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ferdinand said that the priority should be signing two central midfielders, with Casemiro leaving the club. He wants one of them to be a direct replacement for the Brazilian and the other as a backup to Bruno Fernandes.
"If United go and get four players in the next window and two of those are starters, then I think that’s a realistic transfer window. If I was the club, my priorities would be two central midfielders, one who starts and maybe a younger one who you can blood in here and there around Bruno [Fernandes], Kobbie [Mainoo], and the one you bring in.
Ferdinand added that the next signing should be a forward, who can play when needed and be the ideal backup for Benjamin Sesko. He also wants a full-back signed in the summer and said:
“I would also go for another forward, a younger one who is going to be more of a back-up to what we’ve already got. And I would go for a full-back. That’s it. I know you can say you want ten new players and most positions can be improved, but I don’t think you need a huge revamp, it’s still a lot, but that’s realistic.”
Manchester United are third in the Premier League table and are close to sealing their place in the UEFA Champions League next season.
Rio Ferdinand names the perfect midfielder for Manchester United
Rio Ferdinand has acknowledged Manchester United were chasing Carlos Baleba last summer, but does not think he should be the signing this summer. Speaking on his YouTube channel, he urged the club to snub a move for the Brighton & Hove Albion star and Newcastle United's Sandro Tonali and get Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson and said:
"I just think the type of midfielder United need is somebody who is a bit more all-action, who can cover ground, who is dynamic, who is robust, strong, who can drive a team. Right now, Anderson seems to be ticking those boxes. But I think there are a few other young guns out there who I won’t mention their names yet because I don’t want anyone else to get on that scent.”
Manchester United are interested in Elliot Anderson, but face competition from Chelsea and Manchester City.