Former Manchester United forward Dimitar Berbatov believes the club should focus their efforts on signing a centre-back before the transfer window closes in just over a fortnight’s time.
The Red Devils have made just one signing so far this summer with Donny van de Beek arriving in a £40million deal from Ajax.
However, a 3-1 defeat to Crystal Palace on the opening weekend of the season underlined United’s need to strengthen as their right side of Victor Lindelof, Timothy Fosu-Mensah and Daniel James looked particularly weak.
United are desperate to sign Dortmund winger Jadon Sancho but hopes of a deal are fading fast as the Germans are now planning on keeping the 20-year-old, who was available for £108million earlier in the summer.
Beyond that, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is keen on signing a left-back and Porto ace Alex Telles has reportedly agreed personal terms with the club over a move to Old Trafford.
‘I and others have big expectations for United this season. They need a center-half, and probably further recruitment also to be competitive. At the end of the day, if Crystal Palace can score three past you, you are in trouble,’ said Berbatov.
‘If they don’t strengthen up, it will be a long season for them. They need someone alongside Harry Maguire, look at how impressive he has been since he came in, and he is now captain. They need someone who is fast, like Rio Ferdinand was for Nemanja Vidic.’
Despite the demoralising result, Berbatov is urging United fans to stick by Solskjaer.
United managed just one pre-season friendly before their defeat to Palace and Berbatov says it’s important not to over-react.
‘As I said, if we only judge on this game, United need to buy a whole new squad! But we can’t over-react to one game on its own. They have less than two weeks until the window closes, and they can play some more games to figure out what they need in that time.
‘But it’s not easy. It can be hard to sign players, maybe the players don’t want to come, it is hard to say, but their defence is what they need to work on.’
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