Speaking on his official YouTube podcast, Rio Ferdinand said: "I don't think Manchester United need to look for a number-one centre-back right now.
"I don't think the priority is to sign a centre-back. The priority is to keep them fit. I would go out and try and sign the best young centre half, that's what I'd go for.
"I think Man United's worst period of the season apart from Brentford and Brighton has been since the two [senior] centre-backs have been out."
Man United's drop of form towards the end of the 2022/23 season has exposed the lack of squad depth and quality options from the bench at Old Trafford
Erik ten Hag is expecting to be backed in the summer transfer window although uncertainty around the ownership of the club complicates matters.
