Gerry Francis: I spoke with Van Gaal, he told me Man Utd will “definitely” make changes

West Bromwich Albion first-team coach Gerry Francis says that Manchester United need to replace the experience of Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand in their defensive unit, as reported by Sky Sports. Furthermore, the Sky pundit also revealed that he spoke to Louis van Gaal, revealing the Red Devils will “definitely” make changes in the summer.

The two veteran centre-backs, who both acted as United captain in the past, departed Old Trafford last summer along with left-back Patrice Evra.

However Van Gaal has had trouble identifying natural leaders in his squad, while also seeing his first-choice group of centre-backs produce inconsistent performances throughout the season.

United have conceded 35 goals this season without their former veteran trio

Francis believes that the United boss must enter the market to find those players of quality who can offer what Vidic and Ferdinand gave the club in the past.

Francis told Sky Sports: “Since Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand have gone, I think they need to strengthen in the defensive area, but it’s not easy to find the kind of experienced defender you need in there. But certainly talking to van Gaal after the game he is definitely looking to make changes again in the summer.”

Van Gaal is known to be in the market for centre-backs at the end of the season, with at least one defender likely to depart Old Trafford during the summer.

United have been dragged back into the race for a top four finish; they were unable to build on their six-game winning run of the past few months, losing away to Chelsea and Everton before suffering a 1-0 loss at home to West Brom last weekend. Van Gaal’s side are now just four points ahead of fifth-placed Liverpool in the table.