Manchester United are just ‘a couple of players’ short of having a title challenging squad, believes former coach Rene Meulensteen.
The Devils have performed excellently under interim manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and are now pushing for a place in the Premier League’s top four.
Such an assault was unthinkable at the time Jose Mourinho was sacked but given the club’s surge in form under the temporary Norwegian boss, a club legend thanks to his playing days, they could now build upon his foundations.
And Dutchman Meulensteen, who spent several years at Old Trafford as a youth and first-team coach, reckons it might only take two or three signings in the summer around their stable spine to turn them back into title challengers for the first time since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.
Speaking exclusively to 888sport he said: “United are not too far off from challenging for the league. They need to bring in maybe one or two top players that can boost them but the most important thing is what has been taken away from Manchester United since Sir Alex Ferguson left.
“The identity that United stood for slipped away and that’s why it’s such a masterstroke in that respect to bring Ole back. He is injecting Manchester United with that same sort of identity that he was part of.
“The board and everybody need to understand that that’s what they need to protect. That comes down to making sure it’s a good appointment, whoever that may be, along with the stability of the staff who can make sure they can recreate that identity. On top of that you then look to bring in a couple of players.”
And Meulensteen believes Manchester United should focus on rebuilding their defence when the summer transfer window opens.
He added: “If you look at the firepower and the pace United have up front along with the variety of abilities they can scare any defence in the Premier League and across Europe.
“In midfield they are strong. You have Pogba to the fore and getting better. Matic is very strong with a lot of experience. You could maybe do with another creative player there, a passer that can unlock defences from deep.
“It’s in defence that you maybe need to look at. Valencia is getting on and Ashley Young is a bit older now but still doing a great job. Then there is a need for a really good centre-back who can lead from the back and stabilise everything.”
But one defender he feels the club can rely on is Swedish ace Victor Lindelof, who is blossoming under Solskjaer.
He continued: “Stability is a big thing, especially in the back four. Most of the successful teams are able to play with a solid and stable back line, including the goalkeeper.
“It’s usual with a club like Manchester United that it takes some time for a player to settle in but you can see now that Victor has settled. He’s played a string of games so he’s starting to find his feet and learning what is required to play at this level.
“He’s done ever so well and even though the defence is still an area where people are critically looking at you need to keep your best players in there.”
Read the full 888sport interview with Rene Meulensteen, including his thoughts on how Pogba is thriving on responsibility and making the difference