Rio Ferdinand highlights two transfer targets that Man United should pursue

Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has urged his old club to add a couple of key names to their ranks, believing it will take them to the next level.

Both players play in the same position, but the 44-year-old believes that it will bolster the United squad.

The Red Devils do not have a lack of options at centre-back, but due to the continuing fitness issues of both Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane, Erik ten Hag may be forced to dip into the transfer market for more reliable reinforcements.

The United gaffer could of course continue to call on existing centre backs in the squad like Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans, but there is a general consus among the fanbase that there is an uncertainty if either is a long-term solution.

The search for a new centre-back may not be too difficult, as one of the best defenders of his generation in Rio Ferdinand has named two players that he thinks United should look to sign in January.

Speaking to Manchester Evening News, Ferdinand said: "The boy at Lens, (Kevin Danso) there’s one there, he’s good,’ "The Uruguayan boy at Barcelona, Araujo. Whether he’s gettable or not, I think he’s brilliant. He’s an unreal centre half.

"He has every attribute to be perfect for the Premier League. I’d probably say he’s the standout, but whether he’s gettable or not, I don’t know. I’ve always said this – to be a successful team, you need that foundation of a solid defence and to be able to pick similar players."

He also added: "I think you look at the teams that have won (the league) recently – Liverpool and Man City – they’ve had consistency in their backlines of players featuring, especially in important stages of the season. And maybe United haven’t been afforded that."

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Ferdinand did also go on to highlight the size of the loss that Lisandro Martinez has been to the squad, and praised the performances of Harry Maguire.

"But Martinez has been a huge, huge loss. His personality, his character, his ability on the ball has been exactly what Ten Hag wants and United were at their best last season when those two were playing together.

"But, again, with every person who falls away and gets injured, there’s an opportunity for someone else and at the moment, Harry Maguire seems to have that shirt. Hopefully that form continues now."

Manchester United's next fixture is on Sunday afternoon, a Manchester derby at Old Trafford against a City team that may not be at their best but are still considered to be levels about this United team.

The Red Devils are carrying some confidence over from their dramatic 1-0 win against Copenhagen on Tuesday, which they will hope can get them over the line.