Tuesday 19 April 2016 16:31, UK
Nemanja Vidic believes Manchester United need an experienced defender to mentor youth players breaking into the first team.
United's injury problems this season has led to manager Louis van Gaal handing debuts to teenage defenders Cameron Borthwick-Jackson, Timothy Fosu-Mensah, Joe Riley, Regan Poole and Donald Love.
Van Gaal has given a total of 11 Manchester United academy players their Premier League debuts since he took charge at Old Trafford in the summer of 2014.
England international, Chris Smalling, who reached the 200 appearance milestone for Manchester United last Saturday, has featured heavily in a defence which has conceded just 30 goals in 33 league games this season. Only title-chasing Tottenham have conceded fewer during the campaign.
"I think it's more difficult for defenders, especially when you have three or four of them playing together in the same match in defence, I think you need someone who can lead these young boys," Vidic told Manchester United's official website.
"Manchester United always need to win trophies and when the club don't, players have to accept some criticism and that can be hard for the younger ones to take. They need some experienced players to take that weight off their backs."
United host Crystal Palace at Old Trafford on Wednesday, just four points adrift of fourth-placed Arsenal in the table.
