Jose Mourinho Manchester United 2018-19

'Man Utd aren't short of money!' - Berbatov wants to see two centre-halves signed in January

Manchester United are not “short of money” and need to land two centre-halves during the January transfer window, claims Dimitar Berbatov.

The Red Devils spent much of the summer pursing defensive additions, only to be left empty-handed.

Jose Mourinho has continued to monitor the likes of Toby Alderweireld, with the Tottenham defender considered to figure on a wish list alongside the likes of Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly and Atletico Madrid’s Diego Godin.

Article continues below

Berbatov believes United will need to dig deep in order to bring in two of those top targets, with frailties at the back continuing to hinder Mourinho’s cause.

The former United striker has, however, warned that doing business over the winter will not be easy, or cheap.

"They need to reinforce at the back especially centre backs, one or two," Berbatov told The Mirror.

"In every other position they have several quality players and everything they need, so just defence needs reinforcing. Hopefully they can find one or two and then they should be okay.

"It’ll be more difficult in the winter transfer window then the summer one to make signings for Mourinho but he should be able to find one person he wants to bring in.

Diego Godin Atletico Madrid La Liga 2018

"So if there is someone he wants to bring in the board should listen to him because it’s obvious that the club aren’t perfect right now and aren’t in the position that they want to be in. They need to improve on that, if it means bringing one or two people, it shouldn’t be a problem.

"I mean it’s not like Manchester United are short of money."

While United remain in the hunt for fresh faces, they are also running the risk of losing other senior figures from their back line.

The likes of David de Gea, Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young are yet to commit to fresh terms and are generating exit speculation as a result.

Mourinho is hoping to keep key men on his books, while bringing in others alongside them, but faces a race against time to get deals done with those already at Old Trafford and potential stars of the future.

Advertisement