Van Gaal eyes three key signings before transfer window closes.
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Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has his eye on three main transfer targets to come in before the end of the summer, with numbers 5, 7 and 9 being set aside, as revealed by the club today.
With the big news being that young star Adnan Januzaj had taken Ryan Giggs’ legendary number 11 shirt, it has also emerged that van Gaal wants to bring in three players to fill the remaining key roles in the side.
Some big names have been linked with United for much of the summer, and their new manager wants to ensure that shirt numbers previously worn by club legends such as Rio Ferdinand and Cristiano Ronaldo go to other top-class signings who will become key members of the team.
At present, United’s new head coach has identified his three-player shortlist with the following names being his top priority.
3) Marcos Rojo no.5
After failing in his efforts to sign the likes of Thomas Vermaelen, Mats Hummels and Mehdi Benatia, van Gaal has seemingly identified Sporting Lisbon defender Marcos Rojo as his top target to come in and play at centre-back. The Argentine international mainly featured at left-back for his national side in this summer’s World Cup, and could prove a useful addition for United in both roles this season, with a backup also needed for new signing Luke Shaw, who is set to miss the start of the season. The likes of Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea have also been linked with the 24-year-old at points this summer, but United now look the favourites to sign him and make him their new number 5 after Ferdinand’s exit at the end of last season.
2) Angel Di Maria no.7
One of United’s most famous numbers, with club greats such as Cristiano Ronaldo and David Beckham previously donning the number 7, it now looks as though Real Madrid star Angel Di Maria is van Gaal’s priority target to come in and become Old Trafford’s next hero. The Argentine winger was one of the best attacking midfielders in Europe last season, scoring 11 goals and weighing in with 26 assists in all competitions as his side claimed victories in the Champions League and the Copa del Rey. Paris Saint-Germain are also among his main admirers, though United could now be in a good position to sign him after the Ligue 1 giants admitted he was too expensive for them.
1) Radamel Falcao no.9
In search of another striker, it has emerged that United could look to join the chase for want-away AS Monaco striker Radamel Falcao. The prolific Colombian international is also wanted by the likes of Liverpool, Manchester City and Real Madrid, and could be available on a season-long loan deal before completing a permanent transfer away from the Ligue 1 giants next summer. United already have options upfront, but could allow one or both of Danny Welbeck and Javier Hernandez to leave before the end of the transfer window, with Falcao coming in to compete with the likes of Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie for a place in attack, and taking the number 9 shirt in the process.
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