The players at the back van Gaal has on his wishlist.
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It has been a frustrating start to life at Manchester United for new manager Louis van Gaal and one of the most concerning areas has been in defence.
Although injuries have not helped the cause the loss of Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic and Patrice Evra this summer has left a big gap that needs to be plugged.
Luke Shaw and Marcos Rojo have been signed from Southampton and Sporting Lisbon respectively, but more support is needed and here are five defenders the Red Devils are looking to sign.
Mehdi Benatia, AS Roma
It was an impressive first season for the 27-year-old in the Italian capital in 2013 following a switch from Udinese and Benatia helped Roma to second and a return to the Champions League.
As a result the Morocco international felt he should made one of the club’s top earners and after being denied a fallout began that sees the centre-back highly likely to leave the Stadio Olimpico this summer.
Source: Metro.
Daley Blind, Ajax
This versatile Dutchman is well known to van Gaal from the time the duo spent together working for the Netherlands national team and this familiarity could well work in United’s favour.
Blind is a particularly attractive prospect due to his ability to play as a left-back, a central defender, or in defensive midfield and the 24-year-old looks assured in all three positions.
Source: Daily Star.
Kostas Manolas, Olympiakos
Finally it is a Greece international that Arsenal have firmly set their sights on, although their Premier League rivals are considering stealing the march for this 23-year-old.
Manolas is a centre-back through and through and his main criteria for moving to England is first team football, something van Gaal is likely to be able to offer more of than opposite number Arsene Wenger.
Source: Daily Express.
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