Rio Ferdinand urges Man United to sign 'good characters' Declan Rice and John McGinn this summer

Rio Ferdinand has called for Manchester United to sign Declan Rice and John McGinn this summer, insisting they are the 'right characters' to take the club forward.

United are experiencing another topsy-turvy season but currently sit in the Premier League top four and have a great chance of making the Champions League quarter-finals after a 1-1 draw at Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their last-16 clash.

But United's midfield still flatters to deceive, with Scott McTominay and Fred often pulled up for their performances, with the Brazilian hitting back at legendary duo Paul Scholes and Roy Keane's criticism last week.

The pair's former team-mate Ferdinand however does want to see reinforcements brought in in the centre of the pitch and believes England international Rice and Scotland counterpart McGinn - who have both been linked with a move to Old Trafford - would be astute signings.

Ferdinand insists United can build a team around West Ham star Rice, while praising McGinn for being a 'great professional' as he urged his former club to ensure recruitment is executed well in the summer.

Asked if he would be happy to see Rice and McGinn secure moves to United, Ferdinand told the FIVE YouTube channel: 'Yeah, massively. I think you're getting two good characters.

'I think character is one of the main elements that we need – obviously you look for a certain amount of class and quality in the players.

'But I think you need to build the right characters within this squad going forward if you're going to improve – get the culture right at the football club and you need players to drive that, so if you're buying and are in the recruitment team this year, I think that's a big element that needs to be addressed.

'I think some would say, ''oh John McGinn not a sexy enough signing'', but I think he's a very good player and by all accounts a very good lad, a great professional, not afraid to say what he wants to say to people to get the best out of them.

'He'd be good in that element and on the pitch I think he would be good enough. Is he going to elevate us to being Champions League and Premier League winners? Probably not based on just ability, but I think character stands for a lot in this game.

'Declan Rice, I've said enough about him. I love this player, I love this guy. If you're one of the top teams, you want to build a team around him.'

The Telegraph reported in January that Scotland international McGinn is on United's shortlist to improve the midfield and that the 27-year-old is valued at around £40million.

Meanwhile, Sportsmail revealed last month United face a fight to sign No1 target Rice this summer with the England midfielder waiting to find out the level of interest from boyhood heroes Chelsea.

West Ham have put a £100m price tag on Rice and the England international is likely to be high demand, with Manchester City having also made strong advances before.