Former Manchester United captain Rio Ferdinand has urged the Red Devils to move for Norwich City defender Max Aarons and West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice this summer.
New head coach Erik ten Hag is expected to be given a healthy budget in the upcoming window, and the Dutchman is believed to be determined to improve the team's defence and midfield ahead of next season.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka has allegedly been made surplus to requirements at Old Trafford, which could lead to the club signing a new right-back, and Ferdinand has identified Norwich's Aarons as the ideal acquisition.
"Someone like Max Aarons you could put him like a Chris Smalling-type signing where they come in and they have an impact," Ferdinand told his Vibe with FIVE YouTube show. "They may not be straight starters immediately but they go and they stay there for 10 years and have a really good career and they impact the club at different levels."
The 22-year-old made 35 appearances for Norwich during the 2021-22 campaign, including 34 outings in the Premier League, but he is expected to leave the club this summer following their relegation to the second tier.
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The Canaries are in a strong position when it comes to the defender's future, though, as he still has more than two years left to run on his contract at Carrow Road.
Diogo Dalot is expected to remain at Old Trafford this summer, but an exit for Wan-Bissaka would leave the 20-time English champions short of options at right-back next term.
Meanwhile, Ferdinand has also urged his former club to move for Rice, claiming that the West Ham midfielder is capable of 'leading the charge' for the 20-time English champions.
"It all depends on what Declan Rice wants to do with his career. If he wants to do a Mark Noble and stay at one club in the Premier League – Declan Rice will be the captain for the next ten years if he wants. It's there if he wants to do that," said the former centre-back.
"But I don't think Declan Rice is Mark Noble. Declan Rice is someone who sees himself going to a bigger club, with all due respect to West Ham, and going to fight for honours in the Premier League. You've got to ask Declan Rice a question; does he leave West Ham who are basically fighting Man Utd for the same position?
"If he does go to somewhere like United, (he could) be the catalyst for the next generation, for winning stuff, and you could lead that charge. But if you want to win trophies right at this moment, there is a big question over that."
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Rice enjoyed another impressive 2021-22 campaign for West Ham, making 50 appearances in all competitions, contributing five goals and four assists in the process.
The Hammers are in a strong position when it comes to the midfielder's future, as he still has more than two years left to run on his agreement, with the option of another 12 months.
West Ham would allegedly not listen to offers of under £150m for the England international this summer, while it is understood that the midfielder is not looking to change clubs in the upcoming market.
A recent report claimed that Moyes's side had offered Rice an eight-year contract worth £200,000 a week in a bid to convince him to commit his future to the club, but the midfielder has allegedly rejected the long-term deal.
Rice - also thought to be of interest to Chelsea and Manchester City - has made 194 appearances for the Hammers in all competitions, contributing 10 goals and nine assists in the process.
Matt Law
