Five better options for Louis van Gaal.
SEE ALSO: Angel di Maria Manchester United transfer moves step closer.
Manchester United are set to sign winger Angel di Maria from Real Madrid for a British transfer record of £63.9m, according to reports, with Louis van Gaal finally set to secure his marquee signing of the summer.
Di Maria is an undoubtedly top class performer, which is reflected in the fee for the Argentina international, but is a creative wide player really what the Red Devils need?
Here are five players that we believe would be more important for United to attract:
Mehdi Benatia (AS Roma)
United may still secure a deal to bring AS Roma centre back Mehdi Benatia to Old Trafford, having already reportedly lodged bids with the Serie A club, but there is an urgent need for van Gaal to secure defensive cover in the near future. The lack of quality and depth, following the departure of both Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand on free transfers, which has been exposed by both Swansea City and Sunderland so far, with inexperienced youngsters such as Tyler Blackett and Michael Keane coming to the fore.
Juan Cuadrado (Fiorentina)
With Louis van Gaal looking like persistijng with the 3-4-1-2 system that he introduced during United’s pre-season, signing a specialist right wing-back to replace Antonio Valencia, more accustomed to playing further forward, should become a priority for United. They have been linked with Fiorentina and Colombia star Juan Cuadrado, who is comfortable in that position and has the ability to add a similar dynamism to the attack as di Maria.
Miranda (Atletico Madrid)
As with Benatia, a lack of top class centre backs on the market has inflated the price being demanded for Atletico Madrid star Miranda, who United have also been linked with this summer. The Brazilian showed with his performances in Atletico’s stunning La Liga triumph last season that he has the ability to bolster a struggling Old Trafford back line.
Arturo Vidal (Juventus)
For much of this summer, it had appeared as though Juventus and Chile star Arturo Vidal would be United’s marquee signing, with a move having been talked about throughout the transfer window. Whilst it still may happen, it would be a surprise if United signed two such expensive players in one window – and the tough tackling, all-action style of Vidal may have done more to liven up a side that has lacked intensity in their opening matches.
Kevin Strootman (AS Roma)
Despite an injury ruling him out for the opening months of the season, United have been tentatively linked with deep-lying playmaker Kevin Strootman from AS Roma, for whom he was superb in Serie A last season before picking up the injury that ruled him out of the World Cup. Van Gaal has already signed the box-to-box Ander Herrera in the centre, but the creativity from deep that is offered by Strootman is something that United simply don’t have right now.
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