da dobrowin： Manchester United are officially back. They may have stumbled over the line, but Louis van Gaal’s side will finish in the top four this season and return to the Champions League, which will open up a whole range of new possibilities in terms of players they can attract.
da bet nacional： The £150m spend of last summer may be blown out of the water due to the TV money the club will now receive, while offloading a few fringe players may also raise funds to strengthen areas of weakness.
So how could Van Gaal’s XI look after the summer should the club get some major deals done? Well, here’s a look… WARNING – this side may cost them over £200m!
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GK – David de Gea
Not an addition, but keeping De Gea at Old Trafford could feel like the signing of the summer for United. The Spaniard has been the club’s best player – he was officially voted it last night – this season, with his amazing performances behind a rickety backline key in the Red Devils’ Champions League return. Real Madrid are keen and Louis van Gaal has confessed his star man may be off, though…
RB – Nathaniel Clyne
At right-back Clyne looks a wise potential addition. Only champions Chelsea boast a stronger record in terms of goals conceded than the Saints, and the England international has been ever-present in Ronald Koeman’s side. Defensively able and good going forward, the ex-Crystal Palace man is certainly a United target.
CB – Mats Hummels
The defender many United fans are calling for is Hummels. The German World Cup winner is composed, strong and good on the ball, which are all things LVG’s side have been missing from the back this term. Dortmund have confessed that big names could be sold this summer, so there’s every chance United could get their man.
CB – Nicolas Otamendi
A rejected January bid is likely to be followed up by a renewed one this summer, so there’s every chance Otamendi could be a United player in a few months’ time. The Argentine is rugged in terms of tackling and would add a commanding presence at the heart of LVG’s backline. In truth, United may have to choose between him and Hummels, with the pair likely to cost major fees.
LB – Luke Shaw
His first Old Trafford season hasn’t been the success he would have hoped for, but Shaw has talent. The 19-year-old certainly has time on his side, and his performances with Southampton last term suggest that he has what it takes to be a top class Premier League left-back, just as long as he can overcome the fitness problems he’s suffering with.
DM – Ilkay Gundogan
Reports a few weeks ago that a deal for Gundogan had been ‘all but agreed’ proved to be a little premature, but they did make it clear that United are shopping for a successor to Michael Carrick. The German is not dissimilar to the veteran playmaker, with his penchant for picking the right pass from a deep position an impressive trait. He boasts more energy than Carrick, however, so he could be more use in transition.
CM – Paul Pogba
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Sir Alex Ferguson’s decision not to play the Frenchman before his exit in 2012 now looks to be one of the Scot’s worst. Pogba eventually left Old Trafford in search of minutes on the pitch, and has since played regularly for Juventus, winning three Seie A titles on the spin. He’s now considered to be one of the best central midfielders on the planet and is, ironically, just the player United now need. Reports suggest he’s LVG’s No.1 summer target…
CM – Ander Herrera
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Signed last summer, Herrera has grown into life at Old Trafford. A composed passer with an uncanny ability to find the back of the net, the Spaniard has shown why he was getting such a fuss during his time with Athletic Bilbao and has been one of LVG’s better performers in recent times.
LW – Memphis Depay
Depay🔥 pic.twitter.com/zY2DyoEAYV
— Steven Gerrard (@Gerrard8FanPage) April 29, 2015
Already on his way to the Theatre of Dreams and dubbed the ‘new Cristiano Ronaldo’, Depay looks to have a bright future. The Netherlands international worked under Van Gaal through the World Cup, and has shone with his 22 goals in Eredivisie action for PSV Eindhoven this term. He’s a dab hand at cutting in from the left flank.
RW – Gareth Bale
Now this one would be a marquee buy. Bale is believed to be a target for United on the back of what’s been a difficult campaign in Spain, and he could become the poster boy for a new era at the club. Lightening fast, able to win games on his own and experienced in the Premier League, he may well be worth the near £100m fee Real may demand for him…
ST – Wayne Rooney
Well, we couldn’t leave the captain out of the side. Rooney has been United’s best outfield player this season, revelling in his role as skipper under a new manager. ‘Wazza’ may not be getting any younger, but he’s now a member of English footballing royalty and without doubt the best forward at Old Trafford.