RIO FERDINAND believes Manchester United will never win trophies with Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof the centre-back pairing.
The duo have come under plenty of criticism this season and last for a string of errors and poor performances as fans pleaded for a new defender to arrive in the transfer window.
However, the pair have kept clean sheets against Chelsea and RB Leipzig in back-to-back games this week to relieve some of the focus on United’s defensively frailties.
But Ferdinand, 41, is still not convinced they can be a partnership that will deliver silverware at Old Trafford.
He told BT Sport: “Is it good enough? I’d probably say no, if you’re trying to win the top competitions.
MAN UTD NEWS LIVE: Click here for the latest United news
“Yes, last season they had a good defensive record, but I just see moments in games where they get opened up, they get physically dominated at times, especially in terms of pace, especially if their protection isn’t what you’d expect it to be if the game opens up a little bit.
“If the game opens up and they’re on the halfway line and they’re playing one-v-one or two-v-two, then I fear for my life in that situation.
“If the team shape is fine and it’s all set up properly, then they look a decent pairing.”
Ferdinand spent 12 years at Old Trafford and won ten major honours.
A large part of the success he enjoyed came alongside Nemanja Vidic, with whom he formed a formidable partnership.
But United have not won the Premier League since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013 and are without a major trophy since the Europa League in 2017.
Boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has also used Eric Bailly, who played in the 6-1 defeat to Spurs, and Axel Tuanzebe, who impressed in the win over Paris Saint-Germain, this season.
With the lack of a new arrival in the summer, Maguire and Lindelof appear to be the Norwegian’s first-choice pairing.
Legendary midfielder Paul Scholes, though, reckons the big difference lies at the base of the midfield.
He added: “When they have the two (Fred and Scott McTominay) in front of them, they look different.
“They had that little bit of protection that’s helped them. Not all of them (need it).
“You’re a defender for a reason, you’re supposed to be okay one-on-one, sometimes it can take away the attacking side of the team which it has done in the last couple of games, especially against Chelsea on Saturday.
“Fred and McTominay have definitely made them look better players, and they’ll prefer that.”
