Former Chelsea winger Pat Nevin has encouraged Louis van Gaal to bolster his defensive options at Manchester United by signing Virgil van Dijk during the January transfer window.

This season United's backline has been heavily criticised, having conceded four times against MK Dons in the League Cup and five at the weekend against Leicester City.

Speaking to Off The Ball regarding potential additions at Old Trafford, Nevin believes that Celtic's Dutch centre-back Van Dijk would fit the bill.

"There is no doubt whatsoever that they need another major centre-half who was powerful, and preferably one who can play from the back," said the Scot. "I'm almost describing to a tee a player like Van Dijk, who is playing for Celtic at the moment.

"If I was Manchester United, and Celtic fans wouldn't thank me for it, I'd be on the phone and get Van Dijk down to Manchester United. He is absolutely nailed on to be a player who could have done the job. Even if it was for a short period of a year or two, before they got someone who is world class. You never know, Van Dijk could have grown into that."

Van Dijk, 23, recently dismissed speculation that he had handed in a transfer request at Parkhead.