Louis Saha believes Manchester United must sign players who can improve the ‘core of their team’ if they are to make progress next season.
The Red Devils endured a difficult campaign last term, finishing sixth in the Premier League and going a fifth successive year without a trophy.
New manager Erik ten Hag has been brought in from Ajax to help turn the club’s fortunes around but will work with a set of players whose commitment has been regularly questioned.
Saha, the former United striker, thinks Ten Hag should target new signings who can make an instant impact.
Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: ‘I think the core of the team. Down the middle it’s very important from defence to striker. This has to be built with full confidence. So buy competition. Have players who can hit the ground straight away.
‘We had a very special signing with Bruno Fernandes. That’s the type of calibre the team needs. I think at the moment the biggest signing is the manager. He needs to feel confident he can make an impact and signings would make a difference.’
United have not won the title since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013 and have been left reeling as rivals Manchester City and Liverpool dominate English football in their place.
In an effort to close the gap on Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp’s sides, Ten Hag is aiming to make additions to his squad this summer but could find it hard to entice the likes of Christian Eriksen and Frenkie de Jong with no Champions League football to offer.
United suffered a blow this month when they were edged out by Liverpool in the race to sign Darwin Nunez from Benfica.
Following Edinson Cavani’s departure from the club, Ten Hag has just Cristiano Ronaldo to choose from as a central striker and wants to sign an understudy for the 37-year-old.
Meanwhile, concerns remain in defence after conceding over 50 league goals last season, with both Harry Maguire and Aaron Wan-Bissaka out of form.
MORE : Mikael Silvestre rates Manchester United’s chances of winning the Premier League next season
MORE : ‘Worried’ Gary Neville issues warning to Erik ten Hag as Manchester United deals stall
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on
Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
