Former Monaco striker Victor Ikpeba has urged Manchester United to make three high-profile signings in the summer transfer window to enable them compete with Liverpool and Manchester City next season.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer brought in Bruno Fernandes and Odion Ighalo from Sporting CP and Shanghai Shenhua respectively in the January transfer window and the team has improved in recent months, going 16 games unbeaten in all competitions.

Ikpeba believes United still need another goalkeeper to provide competition for David de Gea, a marquee player to partner Harry Maguire in central defence and namechecked Leicester City's Wilfred Niddi as one of the highly-rated holding midfielders that should be on their radar.

Speaking on Super Sport's Monday Night Football monitored by allnigeriasoccer.com, Ikpeba said : "The problem I have with Manchester United is that there was so much expectation beginning of the season but they were not able to cope with the pressure.

"Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is getting to know the squad, he's getting better.

"They still need a central defender, Harry Maguire is good enough but he's not a van Dijk. He needs someone to pair with him.

"In front of the defense, they still need someone like Rodri, Fernandinho or Ndidi. You need someone there to support the defence.

"Up front, Pogba, Bruno Fernandes,Martial - these are technically brilliant players.

"They're spoilt for choice up front but until when they get these key players, de Gea needs competition as a goalkeeper for Manchester United."

Former Manchester United coach Jose Mourinho attempted to sign Ndidi four years ago but missed out on his services to Leicester City.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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