Man Utd boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer told to strengthen three key areas in damning assessment

United failed to qualify for next season’s Champions League after a disappointing season that saw them finish sixth and fade badly after Solskjaer was given the job full-time in March.

Now, the boss is plotting a massive overhaul as he eyes a number of new signings and Stam believes he has seen enough to suggest that almost every area of the squad needs strengthening.

The former United centre-back played alongside Solskjaer in a legends match against Bayern Munich to celebrate their treble win in 1999.

Speaking after United beat the Germans 5-0 at Old Trafford, Stam said: "I think we definitely could do with some more quality up front, in midfield and the back four as well.

"You want a squad that is competitive towards each other. Everyone needs to push each other to get the maximum out of everyone - to achieve something.

"As manager and as a club you need to have a look at that. After the last couple of seasons and how everything is going, I think it is good to re-evaluate everything in the team.

"Look at the players, what they have done and what they have achieved. Even players who have a contract for another three or four seasons - you need to make your choices towards them and what you want to do with them.

"At the end of the day the most important thing is to achieve the goals you set out, sometimes you need to make hard decisions to do that."

The only area of the pitch that Stam did not question was the goalkeeper but No 1 David de Gea remains unsettled as he is yet to extend his contract that expires at the end of next season.

United are keen to keep him but even if he does leave reports suggest singing a new keeper is not a priority as they can promote current back-up Sergio Romero.

Instead, singing a new centre-back is top of their list and they have been linked with a host of big names.

Ajax sensation Matthijs de Ligt is set to be the most in-demand defender on the market and is already attracting reported interest from United as well as Manchester City and Barcelona.

Stam, though, has urged his fellow Dutchman to snub interest from elsewhere and join United as he believes he would be an excellent fit for the club.

“I think he would suit very well over here [at United] if they’re trying to pick him up,” he said.

“I’m not sure if that’s the truth of course because a lot of things have been said and been written.

“But he’s a player that absolutely fits in here.”