Rio Ferdinand believes Jadon Sancho will bring the added competition for places that Manchester United need to be successful again.
United have made little secret over their desire to sign the Borussia Dortmund winger, though the German club are standing firm over their valuation of more than £100milion. Sporting director Michael Zorc recently claimed Sancho would be a Dortmund player next season.
But MEN Sport understands United are not giving up and Ferdinand has explained how much the 20-year-old England international would add to Ole Gunnnar Solskjaer's side. He's keen to see Sancho sign for his old club.
"He is fantastic," the former United defender told BBC Sport. "If he does come he'll be an added value in terms of quality no doubt.
"Manchester United need top players who are going to have an effect on their first XI and I think Jadon Sancho falls into that category.
"If you look at successful Manchester United sides over the years, successful periods, there were players fighting for every position and if you substitute one out and you brought one in there was no change in the quality or the output."
Ferdinand believes Solskjaer has brought back the "attacking, vibrant football" to Old Trafford and believes qualification for next season's Champions League has been vital. United have a chance to add silverware to that third place Premier League finish as they contest the Europa League semi-final versus Sevilla this week.
Ferdinand is delighted with the football Solskjaer's men are now playing.
"That's been the most pleasing point," said Ferdinand. "He's ticked a box in terms of getting the team back into the Champions League, which I think would have been his remit at the beginning when he got his hands on the reins."
