Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has urged the Red Devils to sign both Gareth Bale and Jadon Sancho in this summer's transfer window.

Bale's future at Real Madrid is far from secure, although it has been reported that Premier League clubs would struggle to afford the Welshman, who has recently been defended by his agent.

Sancho, meanwhile, continues to be linked with a return to the Premier League, having starred at Borussia Dortmund since joining the Bundesliga giants from Manchester City in 2017.

Ferdinand has claimed that his former club should be looking to sign both Bale and Sancho this summer as they look to become challengers for the major trophies once again.

"Sancho or Bale? I'd take both! Manchester United can afford both. They're different players, you can't compare them. One is at the beginning of his career and one is at the other end of his career," Ferdinand told talkSPORT.

"Sancho has huge potential, he can be anything he wants to be. And Gareth Bale, if you're talking about having great moments in current football, big goals on big occasions, he's up there in that sense.

"If I was someone at Real Madrid I'd think about the trophies we've won while he's been there and I'd be delighted. If I was someone looking for a player right now and he's available, I'd take Gareth Bale if the price is right. But it's down to Gareth isn't it.

"If he's got a desire to leave now, he's a bit disgruntled, the fans aren't having him as much as he thought and he wants to get out of there, a deal can be made somewhere else, I'm sure."

United are also expected to spend big on a new centre-back ahead of the 2019-2020 campaign.