Wilkins: United should pounce for Lamps

Former Chelsea assistant manager Ray Wilkins has branded the club “wrong” not to offer Lampard a new contract.

And Wilkins even suggested United should pounce for the England star, amid reports in Italy that Lazio had joined the race to sign him.

Wilkins told talkSPORT: “This is the club’s decision to let him go – it’s nothing to do with Rafa Benitez – and in my opinion it’s the wrong decision.

“You need these older players to show the youngsters what it means to play for Chelsea.”

United have wrung every bit of life out of veterans Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes.

Wilkins, who played for both teams, added of Lampard: “He’ll cost nothing, he’s about four years younger than Giggs and Scholes and he scores goals from midfield.

“He’s scored more goals this year than Michael Carrick, Tom Cleverley and Scholes combined.

“He’s comfortably got two or three more seasons in him. He won’t play 90 minutes every week, but if he starts 20 games for Man United he’ll score them seven goals.”