Ryan Giggs believes Jack Grealish would be a shrewd acquisition for Manchester United, but insists his old side need "three or four players" to compete with Manchester City.
Though United beat their local rivals home and away in the Premier League this season, City are 14 points above them in the table with a game in hand.
And there can be no doubt the back-to-back champions have dominated the rivalry since Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement in 2013.
However, the balance may be shifted by United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's rebuilding of United's squad since his appointment last year.
The Red Devils are linked with transfers for some of Europe's brightest prospects, including Jadon Sancho, Donny van de Beek and Grealish.
And Giggs believes brining Grealish to Old Trafford would be an excellent piece of business.
"I mean, if a quality player like that [Grealish] comes available, United are going to be [interested],” Giggs told Premier League Productions .
"He looks like a United player, he takes the ball, he attracts loads of fouls.”
Grealish has shone this season, scoring nine goals and providing eight assists, and it could cost as much as £80million to dislodge him from Villa Park.
But Giggs insists it will take a number of high-profile signings to ensure Solskjaer's rebuild is a successful one, with a striker the priority.
He added: "I would say that we definitely need a centre-forward.
"Someone who, if a team is deep, is going to play deep and be on the end of those passes, crosses and score 25 goals.
"I still think if we're going to catch City, we're three or four players short.
"But [it's] definitely exciting and promising with Bruno [Fernandes] and [Paul] Pogba coming into the team."
Current first choice No.9 Anthony Martial has cut an inconsistent figure as the focal point of United's attack this season.
He has scored 16 goals but has been criticised for struggling to make an impact during certain matches, including the trip to Tottenham Hotspur on Friday night.
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