Manchester United have already signing Memphis Depay this season, and look close to bringing Torino right-back Matteo Darmian to the club [BBC].
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Both players could well prove to be valuable acquisitions for the Red Devils, with the former likely to offer versatility and explosiveness.
Darmian should prove to be an upgrade on Rafael and Antonio Valencia for the right-back berth, while he can also contribute across the defence.
However, the club’s work is far from complete; in this feature we profile the five positions the club still need to bolster over the coming months.
A new goalkeeper
While van Gaal has already made two acquisitions, he has also losing some players, with Nani having already been shown the door [ESPN].
David De Gea may soon follow the Portugal international out of the club, with Real Madrid apparently intent to bring the stopper to the Bernabeu [Daily Mail].
Should the Spaniard leave, United will surely need a replacement No. 1. Asmir Begovic [Telegraph] and Hugo Lloris [Express] would be two key candidates to replace the keeper.
The former has, however, been linked to Chelsea, and it remains to be seen if United will be able to hijack the Pensioners’ move for the Bosnia stopper [Daily Star].
A new central midfielder
Michael Carrick will be 34 by the time the season begins, and the England international can hardly still be expected to maintain the same influence he has done for so long.
Several names have been mooted as potential partners for and upgrades on the ex-Tottenham Hotspur man, with Morgan Schneiderlin [Standard] and Bastian Schweinsteiger [Sky Sports] two of the key candidates to bolster the midfield.
A new centre-back
Phil Jones, Chris Smalling and Jonny Evans clearly haven’t convinced van Gaal that they can help United challenge for the title this coming summer.
As such, the Dutch coach has been linked with a whole host of centre-back talents.
John Stones [Daily Mail], Nicolas Otamendi [IB Times], Mats Hummels [Manchester Evening News], Sergio Ramos [Standard] and Ezequiel Garay [Metro] are just some of the names rumoured to be heading to Old Trafford, and it would be little surprise if one (or even two) of them joined.
A new leading man
Radamel Falcao didn’t work out, and it remains to be seen whether Wayne Rooney will be used as the club’s chief centre-forward over the coming campaign.
With this uncertainty concerning the main striking role, it’s little surprise that van Gaal has been linked with a move for a new striker.
Karim Benema [MEN], Gonzalo Higuain [also MEN] and Christian Benteke [talkSPORT] are just some of the names tipped to be the Red Devils’ next striking sensation.
An impact sub
With Nani having left, Adnan Januzaj linked to a departure [Mirror], Robin van Persie [The Guardian] reportedly on his way and Angel Di Maria doing little to convince that he can be a star man, it remains to be seen who can come off the bench and influence proceedings for the Old Trafford giants.
Nicolas Gaitan has been named as a player who might yet join the club and he could provide offensive impetus from the bench [Express].