Manchester United urged to buy in January

Ex-Manchester United midfielder Paul Ince has stated that he believes that his former club need three new players in the January transfer window, amid reports he could be in line for the vacant Preston manager’s post.

The Premier League champions have not been at their most convincing this term, and injuries to key players such as Nemanja Vidic and Darren Fletcher promise to make their bid to retain the top-flight title more difficult.

Ince feels that Sir Alex Ferguson should have an eye on the transfer market for players in a number of different positions.

“I feel they need that creativity in midfield, losing Paul Scholes was a big loss obviously,” he told Radio Five Live.

“You’re not going to get players like Roy Keane or Bryan Robson, those players aren’t around anymore.

“The game has changed since then and you don’t get those type of characters, so he has got to look at another way of controlling the midfield and I think that can come from creativity in someone like Luka Modric or Andres Iniesta, they are the players I would be looking at.

“I’m sure Sir Alex will take stock and he’ll be looking at what type of player he will need in January and it won’t just be in midfield, I’m sure he’s looking at a centre-half with Vidic being out.

“But I’m sure he knows what to do, there’s no point me telling him what to do because he’s the greatest manager I’ve ever played under,” he stated.

Meanwhile, Ince may be in line to make a return to management, as he has emerged as a leading candidate to take over at Preston according to Sky Sports.

The Championship club sacked Phil Brown on Wednesday, and Ince is reported to be on their list of targets.

By Gareth McKnight