Pranav Nair
Rio Ferdinand urges Manchester United to strengthen two key positions
Speaking on the FIVE Youtube channel, Rio Ferdinand has a clear idea of what Manchester United are currently lacking.
The club legend believes there are two key positions that need attention going into the summer window. While the club are currently second, there is some work to be done before we can secure what is a long-awaited 21st league title.
“Is there still work to do? Yes there is.”
Top of the league in January, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side have fallen behind Manchester City following a set of reversals in February. As seen against Chelsea last Sunday, it is clear that United need some strengthening to make that final jump.
Ferdinand believes a new defender and a striker should help the club go to the next level. Despite the defensive nous we have shown this season, doubts still exist regarding both Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof.
“I see progress. I still see room for improvement, we definitely need to buy a centre-back, a commanding centre back with pace, please!”
Despite being the world’s most expensive defender, Maguire’s lack of pace is a brutal weakness that has been exploited by opposition strikers. Adding another defender alongside him with speed to burn will mask some of our issues.
A reliable striker
United also lack an infallible scorer to lead the attack. While Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes have often chipped in, it has to be questioned if their primary duty is to score goals.
Anthony Martial has struggled for form while Edinson Cavani is at best a stop-gap option. Despite the latter’s performances, he is not the prolific scorer he once was.
“If people like Erling Haaland or Kylian Mbappe are available, you can’t allow them to go somewhere else and you need to move heaven and earth to get them here.”
Ferdinand believed either Kylian Mbappe or Erling Haaland can provide United with the answer. He believes the club should do what it takes to land either of them given their availability.
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However, Ferdinand is pleased with the progress United have shown. He mentioned the fact that we are above Liverpool is an indication of us moving in the right direction.
Whether that is truly the case is debatable. Rather than claiming we have reached their level, it can be argued that Jurgen Klopp’s side are having a mare of a season. Despite being second in the table, we are just five points better off compared to the same stage last season.
Emphatic wins over Leeds United and Southampton have to a large extend papered over cracks that would have otherwise been called out.
