As they continue to make progress in the summer transfer season, Manchester United may need to remember a famous Sir Alex Ferguson quote.
United is close to signing Jadon Sancho, with sources close to the player anticipating the deal to be finalized in the next week and a half, while Eduardo Camavinga is the newest name on United fans' lips.
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Both are excellent young players who would bring something new to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's team, but neither should be a priority in the current transfer window.
While some supporters may claim that the right flank or defensive midfield are areas in need of improvement, few would deny that center-back is the most pressing concern in the squad.
A new defensive midfielder might have the most tactical impact on United, as any acquisition could allow Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pogba more opportunities to shine in midfield while relieving some of the burdens on the backline behind them.
The main issue is that United's defense is still too porous, and they lack a center-back partnership that can compete with the best in the Premier League.
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'Attack wins games, defense wins trophies,' said legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson. It remains as true as ever this summer if Solskjaer is to achieve his goal of winning the Premier League title next season.
Sancho's impending arrival should not be dismissed as pointless, but his offensive contribution will be limited if United are unable to add an equally remarkable addition to their defense.
Impressive defensive performances at Euro 2020 have helped to explain why fans may have shifted their attention to other parts of the field, but even those come with caveats.
Victor Lindelof's stock has risen following strong performances for Sweden, but he is better suited to the slower tempo of international football and is subjected to less scrutiny when playing for his country. Re-watching the Europa League final's 'highlights' just reinforces this.
When Harry Maguire is out of action, his reputation is restored, but he is still struggling at United since he is used somewhat out of position on the left side of defense and requires a smooth partner to complement his grit.
After another season of instability, popular defender Eric Bailly has been given a perplexing contract extension, while Axel Tuanzebe is desperate for a loan move. Teden Mengi and Di'Shon Bernard, two young hopes, both require additional financing to continue their development; Phil Jones is mostly redundant.
Even if United chooses to spend their money elsewhere this summer, it is clear that another centre-back is required to bring healthy competition to a defense that is already suspect.
Raphael Varane remains the ideal candidate, despite the higher financial requirements, while Pau Torres would be a somewhat more reasonable choice, albeit not yet a world-class one.
Jules Kounde, Nikola Milenkovic, and Sven Botman might all be good additions elsewhere, but with so many other teams trying to enhance their defense this summer, a speedy choice will be required.
For many fans, the most exciting aspect of the transfer season is adding offensive flair to their side, but for United fans, the ambition in the next weeks will be to add another defender.
Although it's rare for Ferguson to be incorrect with his transfer advise, Solskjaer must remember what his mentor says this summer, regardless of which other players appear on his radar.
The arrival of new strikers may increase the entertainment value at Old Trafford, but their best chance of adding to their title haul next season is through a no-nonsense defense.
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