Mehdi Benatia (AS Roma)
The departures of veteran pair Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand leaves van Gaal with a defensive void that needs filling and Man United appear to have failed with their £10m bid for Arsenal’s Thomas Vermaelen, who looks destined to join Barcelona.
A move for French born Moroccan international Benatia will cost far more, with the Old Trafford side apparently ready to meet the Stadio Olimpico side’s £30m valuation of the 27 year old.
Benatia had a standout debut season in the Italian capital, helping Rudi Garcia’s side secure a runners-up finish in Serie A and playing a pivotal role in his side’s rock-solid defence, which conceded just 25 goals in 38 fixtures in 2013/14.
One wonders where such moves would leave the likes of Jonny Evans, Phil Jones and Chris Smalling.