While Louis van Gaal ultimately achieved Manchester United’s minimum goal of securing a spot in the Champions League during the 2014-15 campaign, more will be expected next season.
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The Dutchman will be expected to mount a title challenge, while he will also have to contend with the prospect of playing in another competition.
Red Devils fans will certainly be expecting their club to make at least the quarter-finals in the European Cup.
However, van Gaal’s reconstruction work is not yet complete and he faces a busy summer.
Every area of the side needs strengthening apart from goalkeeper, although with David De Gea rumoured to be on his way to Real Madrid, the Dutchman’s one area of security may become his most pressing concern.
Here are nine players—all reported United targets—who would go a long way to guaranteeing that improvement continues under van Gaal next term.
Hugo Lloris
Reports in France suggest that Hugo Lloris is very interested by the ongoing project at Manchester United and the prospect of playing in the Champions League is an appealing one to a world-class stopper who belongs on the highest stage.
While the likes of Petr Cech, Asmir Begovic and Samir Handanovic have been mooted as possible David De Gea replacements, Lloris is the only one who has his prime ahead of him, has experience of elite European football and has experience of the Premier League.
Christian Benteke
Aston Villa striker Benteke looks to be in demand this summer. The player himself looks unlikely to sign a new contract at Villa Park, and both Liverpool and Chelsea will be aware of the release clause in his contract.
However, will van Gaal look to beat off competition from his Premier League rivals and bring the Belgian powerhouse to Old Trafford?
Raheem Sterling
The prospect of Raheem Sterling swapping Anfield for Old Trafford might be a nightmare scenario for Merseysiders, but it would be an appealing scenario for Red Devils fans.
Not only would they be acquiring one of the brightest young talents in the game, they would also be depriving their fierce rivals of one of their key men.
Gareth Bale
Despite looking like a key figure in Rafael Benitez’s plans at the Bernabeu, might the barracking and criticism Gareth Bale has received from some portions of the Real Madrid fanbase push him towards the exit door?
If the Welshman wants to feel loved, then United are—equally—a club on the lookout for a hero. It might be a match made in heaven, albeit a costly one!
Paul Pogba
Barcelona have made some very public confirmations of their appreciation and admiration for Paul Pogba and their desire to one day bring him to the Camp Nou.
However, considering the club’s ban on registering players, the Juventus man looks unlikely to move to Catalonia this summer.
Could United bring the powerhouse midfielder back to Old Trafford, where he would surely have a transformative effect on the starting XI?
Mats Hummels
With David De Gea looking likely to depart, United’s defensive failings will come under even more scrutiny next season. One way van Gaal could ease the Red Devils’ woes is by recruiting a defender of the calibre of Hummels, who would seriously reinforce the spine of the side.
The Daily Star report that the English giants remain keen on the Germany international and World Cup winner.
Rafael Varane
Another centre-back who would add resolve and a touch of class to the United backline is Rafael Varane.
The Red Devils have already made a bid for the player this summer (a £110 million joint-offer for both the Frenchman and Bale), and while that was rejected, they have several months in which to formulate a deal that his more appealing to the Merengues.
Karim Benzema
Despite his agent indicating recently that Benzema was looking to see out his career at Real Madrid [Marca via the Daily Mail], the striker’s future may soon be out of his control.
Rafael Benitez is believed to favour Cristiano Ronaldo as a centre-forward, while the French international could be used as a makeweight in the deal that takes David De Gea to the Bernabeu.
Madrid may not want the Frenchman, but United would be getting their hands on a world-class finisher.
Ilkay Gundogan
With Michael Carrick not getting any younger, van Gaal ought to start making plans to identify a successor to the England international.
Gundogan, only 24, could offer years of prime service to the Old Trafford outfit and boasts the kind of technical prowess and passing skills to become the team’s midfield metronome.
With Jurgen Klopp having already left Borussia Dortmund, several of his key stars have also been linked to the exit door—might Gundogan be one of those who joins him in the departure lounge.