Manchester United transfer news: Paul Scholes urges Louis van Gaal to sign 'readymade' players

Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has advised Louis van Gaal to spend big in signing ready-made players this summer.

The 20-time English champions have already confirmed they have agreed a fee with PSV Eindhoven for Memphis Depay. The Dutch international has already scored 22 goals in the league this season.

The Old Trafford club's chief executive Ed Woodward revealed that United will be "active" in the transfer market. Chelsea won the league comfortably, while Arsenal have excelled after the arrival of Alexis Sanchez.

The former Red Devils midfielder has urged Van Gaal not to sign any potential players if they look to compete with Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City for the title next season.

"I'd be looking at Champions League again for next year. I think it's probably a bit early to challenge for the league," Scholes told United fan channel FullTimeDevils.

"We know Chelsea will buy two or three players and you have to say they have been a long way ahead this year."

"Arsenal have looked good and if they buy a couple I don't think they will be far away. You have to say Man City will spend a lot of money as well, so there's a lot of catching up to be done and a lot of money to be spent. We can't afford to buy potential. We have to buy ready-made players," he said.

Mikael Silvestre said in an interview with IBTimes UK that Van Gaal should prioritise on signing defenders this summer. Scholes has echoed his former teammate's comments as he went on to claim that he was not impressed with United's back line this season.

"You look at Evra, Vidic and Ferdinand, and in their prime they were fit all the time. They were really big characters but when you come to the end of your time at United you have to accept that," the Old Trafford favourite explained.

"There are other people there that need to step up to the plate, and have they done that? I'm not too sure. Chris Smalling and Phil Jones have been injured far too often to get a good run going and it's difficult when you can't pick the same back four. You look now and you wonder who the back four is going to be," Scholes concluded.