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Cape Town - Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says Manchester United need four players to challenge for the Premier League title again.
United have been on a rapid decline since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013 and have gone through three managers - David Moyes, Louis Van Gaal and Jose Mourinho - with former star striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer being the current mentor at the club.
After United sacked Mourinho in December, the club entrusted the Norwegian with the job on an interim basis before he put pen-to-paper on a three-year deal.
However, it has been quite an eventful two months with the Red Devils in eighth place after just six games - 10 points off Premier League log leaders Liverpool.
Injuries to Anthony Martial, Luke Shaw, Paul Pogba forced Solskjaer to depend heavily on youth since the restart of the Premier League after the international break.
United's recent 2-0 defeat against West Ham showed that despite their big money investment on Harry Maguire, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Daniel James during the summer, more recruitment needs to take place to ensure squad stability.
Marcus Rashford limping off at the London Stadium did not help either as the talented 17-year-old Mason Greenwood was not available due to tonsillitis.
However, United redeemed themselves with lethargic performance in a midweek League Cup third-round victory against Rochdale. Greenwood was on the scoresheet and a returning Pogba, who looks rusty in his first outing in the three games.
Wenger, who was working as a pundit on beIN Sports for the match, believes United are not far off from competing on all fronts again.
"Manchester United is a dream job for any manager. At least, any manager with courage and confidence," Wenger said.
"Yes, they need - in my opinion - four first-team players. But around those players, I see a squad that is capable of challenging. They aren't as far away as people think.
"The team have no pattern of play, no pattern of pressing. There is a team there, but it needs to be coached and developed. Like I said, four players and they can be challengers. For everything."
Wenger was then queried whether he was interested in replacing Solskjaer and he replied: "Manchester United is a dream job. For any coach. I have confidence, I have courage and you're right, I have ideas."
Arsenal visits Old Trafford on Monday evening for a Premier League clash.
Kick-off is at 21:00 (SA time).
- Compiled by Tashreeq Vardien
