Rio Ferdinand believes Manchester United will not challenge for the Premier League title this season unless they conduct more transfer business.
The former United defender believes Ole Gunnar Solskjaer needs to replicate the signing of Bruno Fernandes this summer, after the January addition supercharged a United bid to finish in the top four last season.
Solskjaer has welcomed Donny van de Beek already this summer, but United are eager to sign more players amid ongoing interest in Jadon Sancho of Borussia Dortmund.
Ferdinand believes a signing like Sancho could turn United into title contenders, as they seek to chase down Liverpool and Manchester City.
“I don’t know if United can be serious contenders for the Premier League title this season and it probably depends on what they do in the transfer market,” Ferdinand told TEAMtalk.
“You look at the impact Bruno Fernandes has had since he arrived at United and it shows what can happen if one player is dropped into a team.
“Fernandes has been a breath of fresh air for the team. Where he has been great is unlocking the imagination of the team.
“You see Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Mason Greenwood and the minute Fernandes get the ball, they are off, they know their chance is coming. He doesn’t need a second invitation to deliver that pass.
“That’s what top players do. They change a team and a club with their presence and we have seen that with Fernandes at United."
On Sancho specifically, Ferdinand admitted there can be no excuse for United not to get the deal done, despite the unique circumstances surrounding this summer.
“They need more of that and we know they are looking to sign players like Jadon Sancho, but clearly this is a different summer with the coronavirus having a big impact on budgets at a lot of clubs," Ferdinand said.
“It looks like only a handful of clubs will have money to spend and that gives United, Chelsea and Man City a chance to close the gap on Liverpool is they get their signings right this summer.”
