ROBSON: MANCHESTER UNITED DON'T NEED TO ADD A MIDFIELDER

Former Manchester United captain Bryan Robson insists the arrival of a top-class midfielder this summer is not crucial to the Red Devils' hopes of defending their Premier League title.

United are currently in negotiations to sign Barcelona midfielder Thiago and have offered him a £6.2 million-per-year contract.


But Robson, who spent the majority of his playing career in that position, believes the balance of the team is more important than focusing on any one individual to pull the strings.

"I know with the Manchester United fans, they are used to having a really dominant central midfield player," he told the club’s official website.

"But I think what the fans have got to look at is: Is the balance of the squad pretty good anyway without having that type of player in? You've got to say 'yes' as we won the title by 11 points.

"Now, of course you always want to improve but you've got to look at the balance of Antonio Valencia, Ashley Young, Tom Cleverley, Michael Carrick, Ando [Anderson] and the rest.

"They are still very, very good players but you've got to look at the balance and is that right, rather than go out and try to get an individual who you must rely on all the time."