"You can't afford to be just hoping with the kind of player Manchester United need to bring in to make them a better side,"
"I think the days are gone now where the likes of United,
"It was prudent for Sir Alex to go for young players such as Kleberson, Djemba-Djemba and Miller because there weren't astronomical fees involved and they weren't being looked upon as players needed to be instant and influential hits.
"But now having seen
"When you are talking the kind of money that you'd need to land someone such as Mickael Essien, then you have to know you are getting the finished product, one who is guaranteed quality.
"I know at 22, Essien is still young, but I think he has proved himself to be top-drawer. It wouldn't be a risk. I have seen a lot of him and he can do the business.
"However, if you paid a lot of money for him and he signed, say, a five-year contract, then when that is up he'd still only be 27, and you'd get money back for him as well if you sold him.
"Michael Ballack is different. He is 28 and when his deal is concluded you wouldn't get much - if any - cash back.
"But then again, he would probably only cost half of Essien's price."
He went on about the ever diminishing Keane.
"Roy Keane is still a very valuable member of the United squad," Wilkins added.
"But I think you will see this season that he'll be used even more sparingly. He is a fabulous influence, but United do have to get someone in to take on that mantle.