Andy Cole: Manchester United Need Three More Players to Win Premier League

Manchester United legend Andy Cole believes the Red Devils can easily be contenders for the Premier League title next season if they sign three more players during the summer transfer window.

The 20-time English champions have already signed Ander Herrera from Athletic Bilbao and Luke Shaw from Southampton. Incoming manager Louis van Gaal is targeting a number of players to bolster his squad as he looks to guide his side to domestic glory and limit the absence of European football at Old Trafford to just one season.

Cole, who won five league titles during Sir Alex Ferguson's managerial reign, believes United will sign appropriate players who will help them snatch the title away from the current champions and their local rivals Manchester City next year.

"Why not? Get those four or five in and I think they will win it. There's a new manager in place, United will have a right go in the transfer market and however you look at it; Man City won the league last season but the season before United won it by 11 points. What does that say?" Cole told the Daily Express.

"The Premier League does get harder and harder to win every year. So the players that Man United will be looking to bring in will be players that United think can win them the championship next season. And get themselves back in the European Cup which is a massive boost," the former striker concluded.

United also need an overhaul in defence following Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand's departure. Arsenal outcast Thomas Vermaelen and Feyenoord star Stefan De Vrij are some of the names that Van Gaal is reportedly interested in signing this summer.

Meanwhile, assistant coach Ryan Giggs heaped praise on youngsters, James Wilson and Tom Lawrence, who made their debut appearances during the 3-1 victory over Hull City in their final league fixture last campaign.

"If you get given a chance then you have got to take it. James certainly did and Tom did brilliantly as well. I was really pleased for them but I didn't just throw them in - I actually watched them play and train the week building up to that and they didn't look out of place - so if you are good enough then you are old enough," the Welshman told the FA's official website.