Mikael Silvestre believes Scott McTominay must be replaced in the starting XI before the new season starts.
United have made one new signing this summer in the form of left-back Tyrell Malacia and are on the brink of wrapping up a deal for defender Lisandro Martinez.
Erik ten Hag has named midfield as an area he is keen to strengthen, with and both moving on last month.
Fred and McTominay were a preferred midfield pairing for much of last season but former United defender believes an upgrade on the latter is urgently needed, unconvinced the Scotland international should be commanding a place in the first-team.
‘In terms of top quality midfield players, there are other players in the market that should come ahead of him, however he can add value as a rotation player,’ Silvestre told .
‘Scott can be a starter but ideally you want someone with better quality in the middle of the park to bring the team into contention for the top spot in the Premier League.
‘I think he had a difficult season last year, like most of the team and he has enough qualities to feature for Manchester United and has been a solid servant for the club from the academy.’
Frenkie de Jong is United’s top midfield target with the club agreeing a fee with Barcelona to bring the Netherlands international to Old Trafford.
The club have also held interest in signing Chelsea star N’Golo Kante who is in the final year of his contract at Stamford Bridge with the Blues making the midfielder available for the right price.
Arsenal have also been linked with a move for the France international and while Silvestre he believes Kante would immediately improve theirs and United’s midfield, he believes he will stay at Chelsea. Â
‘N’Golo Kante could go to Man United or Arsenal.
‘I don’t know why his name is being linked away because for me he’s blue and blue,’ Silvestre said.
‘If he were to leave Chelsea, he could play anywhere and in any of the top teams in Europe – he showed last season he’s still on top of his game.’
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