Manchester United's young defenders need help from older heads, according to the club's former captain and centre-back Nemanja Vidic.
Vidic, who was in the side which won the 2008 Champions League final, is impressed by the new defenders but insisted that they must have leadership around them.
Tim Fosu-Mensah and Cameron Borthwick-Jackson are among those who have performed admirably this season, since stepping up from the youth ranks, and Phil Jones is on the road to recovery after a three-month absence with an ankle injury.
Vidic told MUTV: "I think it's more difficult for defenders, especially when you have three or four of them playing together in the same match.
"For the young players who come in up front, you need that energy, imagination, happiness. You can let them play and be more free, but in defence I think you need someone who can lead these young boys."
Speaking about United's young players as a whole Vidic added: "You have to be careful how you develop them. You have to accept that 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."
Meanwhile, midfielder Juan Mata has written on his blog that he feels the club are gaining momentum and they are targeting a clean sweep of victories in the league as they look to seal fourth spot.
The Spaniard said: "Before [facing] Everton in the FA Cup [semifinal on Saturday], we have to focus on the Premier League game against Crystal Palace this coming Wednesday.
"Our goal is to play in the Champions League the next season and all we think about right now is to win every single game."