Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs has claimed that his former side require "a couple of marquee signings" if they are to challenge for the Premier League title.

The Red Devils finished in their highest league position in five seasons this time around, yet were still 19 points adrift of runaway champions Manchester City.

Giggs does not see that gulf becoming any smaller unless Jose Mourinho is given more money to bring in a couple of big-name players during this summer's transfer window, especially at full-back and in central midfield.

"Overall United have got a good squad so I think it is probably about making a couple of marquee signings where they are going to really make a difference and bridge that gap with City," he told Sky Sports News. "They've got some decent firepower and six or seven options in the centre-half position.

"Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young have done so well, but can they do it over 50 games again and again? They perhaps need strengthening there. I don't think they particularly need reinforcements in the forward areas; however, perhaps they could strengthen the middle of the park with a creative midfielder, a player who can keep the ball.

"As a United fan, I want to see exciting football and Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford are exciting players. They found it difficult this year with Romelu Lukaku playing centre forward and then with the addition of Alexis Sanchez, there's a lot of options.

"What I said when we bought Alexis was that it could only be good to have a quality player coming to add to that competitive edge, so the likes of Martial and Rashford have to step up to be in the first team."

Monaco defender Djibril Sidibe is reportedly on Man United's radar, as is Atletico Madrid's Sime Vrsaljko.