Bryan Robson: Manchester United Should Prioritise Centre-Back Signing

Manchester United legend Bryan Robson has urged Louis van Gaal to make signing a central defender a priority in the summer transfer window.

The Red Devils saw Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand leave Old Trafford for nothing after their contract expired last month. The Serbian centre-back had a pre-contract agreement with Inter Milan, while the former Leeds star recently signed for Queens Park Rangers.

The departure of the central defending duo this summer has seen United left with Phil Jones, Chris Smalling and Jonny Evans as their first choice centre-backs in the squad.

The former United midfielder believes the club needs to bring in a player to fill the void left by the departure of Vidic and Ferdinand.

"I'm not saying we should go and get another central midfield player. Have we got good enough players within the squad now?" Robson told United's official website.

"When I look at us, I just think losing Nemanja and Rio and conceding goals last year means can we get a really good centre-half? I think that's more important than a central midfield player at this moment in time."

"When you look back, we've nearly always had a really dominant player who is brilliant in the air and an organiser. If you go back, we've had Rio, Nemanja, Steve Bruce, Gary Pallister and Jaap Stam."

"We've always had a centre-half who is as good as any player aerially, talks to people and is a leader. I feel we need that type of centre-half to improve the team. I can definitely see another couple of players coming into the club," the Old Trafford favourite said.

Meanwhile, Robson has backed teenager Adnan Januzaj to get better over the years. The former Red Devils skipper also remains hopeful that Ashley Young and Nani could come good in the next season.

"When you look at our wide players, for me, I think the balance of that is pretty good," Robson stressed.

"Antonio Valencia is as good a right-sided midfielder as you are going to get. There is more to come from Ashley Young, Nani had a disaster as far as injuries were concerned and Adnan Januzaj is going to get better. So it's quite good there."