With the Red Devils set to embark on a huge few months in the transfer market, we look at five moves United are hoping to conclude before the new campaign gets under way in August …
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Mats Hummels (Borussia Dortmund)
The Daily Telegraph reports that new Red Devils head coach Louis van Gaal has already handed United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward a list of transfer targets that he wants to the club to go after between now and when the Dutchman officially takes up his role at Old Trafford in July.
And one of those names is said to be that of the Bundesliga outfit’s hugely talented Germany international, a centre back that Van Gaal knows well from his own time spent in charge of Bayern Munich.
Kevin Strootman (AS Roma)
Despite the fact that the 24-year-old suffered a serious-looking knee-ligament injury playing for the Romans last season that has since ruled the holding midfielder out of this summer’s Fifa World Cup finals in Brazil, the player is still expected to have recovered in time for the start of next season.
And now Van Gaal wants United to move heaven and earth in order to lure the Dutchman to Old Trafford for the new campaign, says the Daily Telegraph, with the 62-year-old known to be a huge admirer of Strootman’s having worked with the player in the Oranje national team.
Jordy Clasie (Feyenoord)
The Netherlands international is another player who Van Gaal knows well having coached the youngster while in charge of Holland, and now the new United boss wants to lure the midfielder to the Theatre of Dreams for next season, claims the Daily Express, with the centre of the park one area of the present team that badly needs some new blood.
Bruno Martins Indi (Feyenoord)
In fact, the Daily Express reports that Van Gaal is keen to make a £30m double raid on Eredivisie giants Feyenoord this summer, with the former Ajax, FC Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager said to also be eyeing up a move for the Rotterdam club’s versatile Netherlands international defender.
Martins Indi,22, can operate as either a left back or as a centre back too, which is an added attraction to signing the player, especially with United in urgent need of cover at the back for next season.
Luke Shaw (Southampton)
And finally, the Daily Express also says that the new Red Devils boss has given United the green light to press ahead with plans to sign Southampton left-back Luke Shaw this summer in a deal worth a whopping £27m.
The 18-year-old was actually being lined up for a switch to the Theatre of Dreams by the previous United coach David Moyes before the Scot was give the sack, but his successor is happy for United to press ahead with moves for the player, although a deal for Shaw is not now expected to be completed until after this summer’s World Cup.
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