Sky Sports Pundit Lauds Manchester United Duo as the ‘Best in the Country’

Jamie Redknapp believes Manchester United will not go out and sign a new centre-half next month because they have two of the "best young centre-backs in the country" in Phil Jones and Chris Smalling.

The injury sustained by Nemanja Vidic has brought a sadly premature end to the Manchester United captain's season, and while the aforementioned Sky Sports pundit concedes Sir Alex Ferguson's side will of course miss their talismanic skipper, he believes Smalling and Jones have the capacity to compensate for the Serbian's absence.

Redknapp claims Manchester United will only assess their defensive options in the January transfer if Rio Ferdinand sustains an injury, but as it is Ferguson will feel he has enough cover in the shape of the aforementioned Jones and Smalling and Jonny Evans.

Vidic ruptured his medial ligament during Manchester United's shock defeat to FC Basel and he will subsequently be out for the duration of the season,; a bitter blow for Ferguson according to Redknapp.

"Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has a lot of things to ponder." Redknapp told skysports.com.

"Nemanja Vidic and Darren Fletcher will be absent for quite some time, while Tom Cleverley, Anderson, Javier Hernandez and Dimitar Berbatov are also on the sidelines. With the transfer window opening shortly, I'm sure the Manchester United manager will be looking at potential signings - but I'm not sure he will bring anybody in.

"Ferguson's very well stocked at centre-back with Phil Jones, Chris Smalling, Jonny Evans and Rio Ferdinand, so he shouldn't be overly concerned about Vidic's injury.

"But losing the Serb is a big blow. United look so much better with him in the team; he's their captain, a leader and a terrific player. They may not miss him over the next few games but over the course of the season they will."

While keen to stress the importance of the Manchester United captain, Redknapp believes a new arrival at Old Trafford as cover could inhibit the development of two of England's brightest young players.

"However, signing a defender as cover would only stunt the development of Jones and Smalling, who I believe are the two best young centre-backs in the country." Redknapp continued as he assessed Manchester United's defensive options.

"I remember the first time I saw Jones play for Blackburn, when his task was to mark Didier Drogba. I spoke to my dad afterwards and he said: 'I've got to sign him'. But obviously there was a queue all around the block and Manchester United got to the front of it.

"He'll be a great for that club (Manchester United) and with Vidic out, he'll be even more integral this season. The only way I see Sir Alex bringing in another centre-half is if Rio picks up an injury."