Manchester United boss David Moyes is coy over the futures of Patrice Evra and Rio Ferdinand.
The pair are tipped to follow Nemanja Vidic out of Old Trafford at the end of the season.
"It [losing three senior defenders] could have happened at any time," Moyes is quoted as saying in the Daily Mirror. "They're great pros, working hard and still here. With two of them it's still hypothetical. Vida has made his decision, he wants to be straight and stop speculation.
"I speak with Patrice a lot and I know the people he works with. There are things in place and we'll tell you when we want to.
"He's a great role model, a great figure in the dressing-room and he's been a great player for United. His type is the type we want to bring to the club and have at the club.
"Time is the one thing [you need]. You hope in time we'll have a side that competes."
