How United could look with big-name transfer targets added.
Manchester United are in major need of strengthening after their opening day embarrassment to Swansea City, with new manager Louis van Gaal plotting some big-money purchases to aid his side’s progress for the new season.
Much of the talk today has been about a potential £100m package to Real Madrid for the signing of Argentine winger Angel Di Maria, who has been strongly linked with the club for much of the summer so far.
The Red Devils are clearly desperate to spend what is required to bolster their squad, and more signings could come in in defence and midfield before the transfer window slams shut at the end of the month. Here, CaughtOffside looks at their potential XI for the new season if they land their top targets.
Goalkeeper and defence:
In defence, the two likeliest signings that look like coming in at the moment are AC Milan centre-back Philippe Mexes and versatile Sporting Lisbon star Marcos Rojo. The latter has been linked with a number of top clubs this summer after impressing for Argentina at the World Cup in Brazil, while the former is looking like something of an emergency option for van Gaal as he runs out of time to pursue his more ambitious targets such as AS Roma’s Mehdi Benatia or Borussia Dortmund’s Mats Hummels. The addition of Mexes and Rojo should make United stronger at the back, however, with the defence not looking good enough as they were beaten at home by the Swans.
Midfield:
It is in midfield that major changes are also expected to be made, with the £100m-man Di Maria likely to become first choice for United on the left-hand side, even if he is not ideally suited to the wing-back role in a 3-5-2 formation. Still, such a world class talent will surely not be given too much in the way of defensive duties and is worth tweaking your tactics around. In the middle, AS Roma playmaker Kevin Strootman looks like being van Gaal’s top target to come in and provide some creativity with United giving up hope of signing Juventus star Arturo Vidal. Still, with Strootman and Di Maria, United will surely be a real force to be reckoned with.
Attack:
Despite Javier Hernandez’s likely depature paving the way for new signings upfront, it seems more probable that things will stay the same in that area, with Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie looking a strong partnership, who will surely benefit greatly from the arrivals of Di Maria and Strootman providing them with more in the way of top quality service from the middle of the park.
Man Utd XI with £100m Di Maria in full:
Di Maria Manchester United
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