How Louis van Gaal’s impressive lineup could look in 2014/15.
There are wide reports today that Manchester United are on the verge of securing Angel di Maria from Real Madrid and Juventus’ Arturo Vidal for £40m apiece.
Having already spent £56m on Ander Herrera and Luke Shaw this would take their total spending to £136m since Louis van Gaal took charge as manager, with a new centre-back also certain to be signed along with possibly a right-back.
If all was to go to plan for van Gaal in the transfer market this how the Red Devils’ starting XI could look in 2014/15.
GK – David de Gea
In a year when United were largely disappointing under the guidance of David Moyes, the form of their goalkeeper was one of the few positives and the 23-year-old appears to grow with confidence in every game that he plays.
RB – Daryl Janmaat
The options at right-back for van Gaal are varied, but as yet none of Phil Jones, Chris Smalling or Rafael have proven it should be theirs and after impressing at the 2014 World Cup for the 62-year-old, £7m rated Feyenoord ace Janmaat could be the ideal option.
Source: Mirror.
CB – Jonny Evans
With Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic both having departed Old Trafford this summer, there is a chance for one of the other current central defenders to stake a claim for a regular place and based on last year’s form Evans is the best option.
CB – Jan Vertonghen
Despite the fact FC Barcelona are also keen, their pursuit of Paris Saint-Germain youngster Marquinhos and Mats Hummels of Borussia Dortmund could see them slip in the chase to sign this wantaway £17.5m defender form Tottenham Hotspur.
Source: Daily Mail.
LB – Luke Shaw
After a long pursuit the 13-time Premier League champions finally landed this Southampton youth product and at 19-years-old there is plenty of time for Shaw to emulate the likes of other St Mary’s proteges Gareth Bale and Theo Walcott.
CM – Ander Herrera
Just before Shaw arrived at the Theatre of Dreams, the Red Devils also secured another player they have had their eye on for some time in 24-year-old Herrera, with the Spaniard bringing a creativity to the midfield that has been lacking for too long.
CM – Arturo Vidal
With van Gaal not yet satisfied with a United midfield that disappointed over the past 12 months, the Dutchman has a keen eye on this Chile international, who to many pundits is the best box-to-box midfielder in the game currently.
Source: Daily Mail.
CM – Angel di Maria
Completing a new look central midfield is a player who is inexplicably being allowed to leave the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu despite being key to their Champions League and Copa del Rey success last term, although the English giants will face competition from PSG and Juve.
Source: Goal.
CAM – Juan Mata
Signing Mata from Chelsea in a club record £37.1m fee in January was a good move by Moyes, but the Scot showed his inexperience when trying to crowbar the Spain international into the team and the 26-year-old has to be played as a No.10.
ST – Robin van Persie
There were briefly rumours that van Persie wanted to leave the club after enduring a difficult previous 12 months, but the arrival of his Netherlands national team boss as manager is likely to reinvigorate the 30-year-old.
ST – Wayne Rooney
Like de Gea this England international was one of the few positives in 2013/14 and after being awarded a new £300,000-a-week contract the club will be keen for van Gaal to find a place for the highest paid footballer in the country.
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