Former England ace Rio Ferdinand has urged Manchester United to sign Thomas Partey from Atlético Madrid when the transfer window opens.

Partey has been heavily linked with a transfer to Arsenal ahead of the summer window.

According to reports, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is eager to sign a box-to-box midfielder to reinforce his options in the middle of the park ahead of the 2020-21 season.

But former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand indicated the club needs a player like Partey to compliment their midfield options.

When asked which three players he would sign for the Red Devils on The Beautiful Game podcast, Ferdinand said, "Every week this changes.”

"I'd definitely buy Sancho. Can you imagine Sancho in that team? He draws two or three players to him and [Marcus] Rashford's playing one-v-one? Oh God, it's over.

"I would maybe go and get Partey from Atletico Madrid or [Wilfred] Ndidi from Leicester, I like Saul Niguez, he's a very, very good player in midfield. And I do still think they need a centre-back.

"Whether you go for a young one, like Ben Godfrey, or go for someone like Koulibaly, I don't know, it's difficult."

The 26-year-old has been a regular for Atletico this season. He has made 21 starts in La Liga with another three substitute appearances, scoring two goals.

Partey topped the La Liga dribbling charts prior to the Covid-19 suspension, incredibly competing 81.8% of his intended take-ons which betters Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi.

He was also a huge influence during Atleti’s 4-2 aggregate win over Premier League leaders Liverpool in the Champions League last 16 knockout round.