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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Paul Clarke

Rio Ferdinand tells Manchester United how many new players they need after Bournemouth win

Rio Ferdinand warned Manchester United that they are far from the finished article after their 5-2 win over Bournemouth in the Premier League.

United made it 16 games without defeat thanks to a brace from Mason Greenwood and goals from Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Bruno Fernandes.

United are in the top four following the win but Ferdinand believes Ole Gunnar Solskjaer needs to add three new starting players to his team this summer.

"I think they need to add three starters minimum," Ferdinand told BT Sport. "They definitely need to add a centre-back. Harry Maguire needs someone blessed with pace alongside him.

"Another midfielder who can dominate physically is important too. Even in the forward areas, maybe a player who can really rival that front three."

United showed their attacking quality against Bournemouth but also their defensive frailties, with Ferdinand further analysing the club's situation at centre-back.

Ferdinand added: "I think they do (need a defender with pace). You see Liverpool dominating at the moment and one of the things they have is that they can allow their team to push forward in droves because they have centre-halves who can play man to man.

"They have that pace but Man United don't have that right now and the recruitment team will be looking at that for sure.

"(Victor) Lindelof is not someone who you would back winning a race to his own goal from the halfway line and neither is (Harry) Maguire. Having two like that can leave you open to the counter attack.

"They'll be looking to shore up that area because it's something which will come back to haunt them."

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