Denis Irwin has conceded that Manchester United will find it hard to find players of the required quality during the January transfer window.
Jose Mourinho wanted to sign an experienced defender last summer, but the Manchester United board jettisoned his efforts to bring in one as they did not believe the targets represented value.
The Manchester United manager is hopeful of convincing the club to bring in one or two centre-backs in January as he continues to struggle to improve his side’s defending.
However, Irwin insisted that getting a top quality player in January will be tough as most top clubs will not allow any of their high quality performers to leave in the middle of the season.
He also conceded that identifying a top-class centre-back and signing him would be a huge task as most clubs are on the lookout for defenders.
Irwin said on MUTV’s The Paddy Crerand Show: “It is so hard in January to get any player of any quality.
“I am not just talking about paying over the odds, but clubs who are chasing anything will not let their best players go, simple as that.
“You can do it but you have got to find who’s out there.
“Getting centre-halves is not easy as everybody wants one at the moment.
“Manchester City bought three, four, five centre-halves.”
Mourinho is ideally looking to bring in a defensive leader in January, but could agree to sign a young and talented centre-back if the Manchester United board do not want to spend big money on someone approaching 30.
