Manchester United legend Gary Pallister believes at centre-half the club will be well served for many more years to come.

While praising the senior pair of Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand, Pallister also had words of encouragement for their deputy.

"I think Jonny Evans is a terrific player as well," he told MUTV.

"And with the signing of Chris Smalling from Fulham, it stands United in good stead for the future, for whenever Rio goes. It all depends on how Rio's feeling. If he's got to the root of his back problem, he could play on for a few more years yet."