Robbie Savage suggests Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal should wait until the summer before spending big on a top quality defender.
The Red Devils are being linked with January moves for a number of high-class central defenders as they continue to experience injury problems at the back but Savage feels it would be a good idea to wait until the end of the season.
"There has been talk all season about which centre-half United will sign in January - Ron Vlaar, Diego Godin, Mats Hummels to name but three," Savage told the BBC.
"But rather than spending big to get somebody now, they are better off waiting for the right player in the summer. United are going to finish in the top four anyway.
"I think Louis van Gaal may as well carry on trying out his existing defenders this season and go for the man he really wants in the summer when he can tempt them with Champions League football."
United ended 2014 sitting third on the Premier League table, 10 points in arrears of league leaders Chelsea, ahead of the New Year's Day clash with 11th-placed Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium.
