Liverpool legend Alan Hansen believes Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson's January priority is a new centre-half.

Hansen wrote in his column for the Telegraph: "It's difficult to see where United would improve their squad if they bought in January. If, say, a Luka Modric could be signed you'd obviously go for it, but it would be upwards of £30 million and Spurs have shown already they're not prepared to sell. If that stance changed, Chelsea and City could outbid everyone else, including United.

"Then you look at someone like Gary Cahill at Bolton, who does seem to be available in January, yet everyone was reluctant to take him last summer at £18million. That tells me Ferguson would prefer to wait and allow Chris Smalling and Phil Jones to develop as top-class defenders.

"I suspect he'd rather keep faith with those youngsters who looked so impressive in August and take the longer-term view. The most sensible deals are always done in the summer."