A look at the overhaul Manchester United needs to push for the title

Louis van Gaal will look to build a title-winning team for next season

Manchester United’s 2014-15 season could be regarded as a successful one, as they have finished comfortably in the top 4 and will be back in the Champions League after a season’s space.

But a club like Manchester United will not settle for fourth position and will only aim for the league title in the upcoming season. They need to reinforce in some areas in order to regain their crown in England and so we look at some of the positions and players who can fit in well.

Centre Back

With the departure of Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand, who have been the main wall of defense for many years under Ferguson, United have struggled in that area in recent times. Jones and Smalling were signed for the future but have still not stepped up to that role.

Manager Louis Van Gaal opted to sign Marcos Rojo last summer, to play in that position and has done a decent job since then, but he is not a natural centre back and prefers playing on the left side of defense. So there is still a leaky hole in that area and United will be in the market to get a new experienced centre Back who will walk straight into that position.

United have reportedly enquired about Valencia’s Argentine defender Nicolás Otamendi, who is valued at €50m

Reportedly, United have enquired about Valencia’s Argentine defender Nicolás Otamendi, who have stated that the player won’t be allowed to leave for a fee less than €50m. Another option would be Dortmund’s World Cup winner Mats Hummels, which looks unlikely at the moment.

But the Premier League could be one of his likely destinations in the future and United will be waiting. In the last few days, surprisingly, Real Madrid’s Sergio Ramos has been linked with a move away from the Bernabeu, with United looking to include him in a swap deal for their star man David De Gea.

Striker

Manchester United will set their target to win the Premier league title next season. Last time when United had won the title, Robin van Persie had scored 20+ league goals. If we look at the history of the teams that have won the league, we would observe that these teams needed that deadly striker in order to win the league; recent examples being Diego Costa for Chelsea and Sergio Aguero for Manchester City.

Manchester United have struggled in this particular area this season. Radamel Falcao's poor form, Van Persie's injuries, Wilson's inexperience, and Rooney's midfield-duties have hindered Manchester United from being ruthless in front of the goal.

Radamel Falcao's poor form, Van Persie's injuries, Wilson's inexperience, and Rooney's midfield-duties have hindered Manchester United from being ruthless in front of the goal

There could be different dimensions up front next season; with Falcao already having left the club, Chicharito might want to force a move away in order to taste first team football after a disappointing loan spell at Real Madrid.

Even Van Persie has hinted at a move away from Old Trafford in order to be playing each week in the Euro 16 season, Wilson could be loaned out or even if he stays, he won't get as many chances to make the real difference.

So Manchester United is left with only captain Wayne Rooney who is certain to start every week. The England and Manchester United captain is on the verge of breaking the all-time record for all-time goal-scorer of both the club and country. He is the only player to have scored 10+ league goals in 10 seasons.

But it's difficult for him to do the job alone as he is a traditional no. 10 for Manchester United. Lyon's Alexandre Lacazette is a great option to start with. The Frenchman was the top scorer of Ligue 1 after scoring 27 goals. He is just 24 and it's the right time for him to move to a bigger club to blossom his career. Inter's Mauro Icardi is another young prospect who scored 22 league goals and was a joint top goal-scorer with the veteran Luca Toni.

Real Madrid's Karim Benzema is an established player and there is an added influence of possible David De Gea's transfer to Real Madrid. Manchester United could add the Frenchman in a deal in a possible sale of De Gea to Madrid. PSG's Cavani is another ambitious target for Manchester United. The striker has been linked with United since his Napoli days and this transfer window is not a different to previous ones.

Right Back

Nathaniel Clyne had a great season with Southampton

Manchester United have been experimenting with the right-back situation for a long time. After the departure of Gary Neville, United have failed to produce an established right back in that position. The Brazilian full-back has been playing there often but has had many injuries in the past.

Phil Jones too has played and impressed as a right-back, but he prefers playing in the centre of the park. McNair looks a promising player after being handed his debut by Van Gaal last year and has shown some impressive performances. United have even played midfielder Antonio Valencia in that position.

No doubt, United are in need of a new right-back. Barcelona full-back Dani Alves was recently linked as his contract was about to end in the summer, but he has now extended his stay with the treble winning side of Enrique.

Southampton’s Nathaniel Clyne looks a great option after an impressive season with the Soton’s and has shown interest from various other clubs in England being a native player. Everton’s Seamus Coleman and Dutch full back van der Wiel are also linked.

Central Midfielder

Last season was one of Manchester United's midfielders as they have contributed massively in front of the goal. This was the key to success as United have been missing those goals from the midfield since ages now.

But still, there was a lack of that Paul Scholes element in the midfield. Manchester United hasn’t been able to replace him. They have been criticized heavily for just the sideways passing. They need a midfielder with a direct approach and who can dictate the play. Louis van Gaal has also expressed his desire to sign a central midfielder in order to stabilize his midfield.

United are linked with Southampton's Morgan Schneiderlin

Borussia Dortmund's Gundogan is being heavily linked with United this summer. The German midfielder is just 24 and a great prospect for United who will hit the top form at his peak.

United are also linked with Southampton's Morgan Schneiderlin. The Frenchman is 25 and has expressed his ambition to play in a Champions league. The midfielder played a crucial role in Southampton's successful season.

United certainly can meet his ambitions and are currently the front-runners to sign him. Juventus' Paul Pogba has also been linked to United heavily this summer. The former United midfielder was regarded as a perfect replacement for Paul Scholes during his Manchester United days.

Goal Keeper

The goalkeeping position looked sorted for a long time after Alex Ferguson signed young goalkeeper David De Gea from Atletico Madrid in the summer of 2011. After a shaky start, the Spaniard hasn’t looked backed and has produced many match winning performances.

De Gea in fact, has played a huge role in helping United get back in Champions League next season. But, the two-time United player of the Year is wanted by the mighty giants Real Madrid.

De Gea, born in Madrid, will find it very difficult to turn down Madrid. It would be very difficult for United to replace De Gea, but United will look to sign Tottenham’s shot-stopper Hugo Lloris, who has been playing in the Premier League for a long time now.

Also there were rumours of United’s goalkeeper coach Frans Hoek suggesting Van Gaal to sign the Dutch national team goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen.

One thing for sure, Van Gaal and Woodward have got the list and the money to sign the players they want and know whom to approach. It will be an interesting and an anticipated transfer window for the United fans as they await to see a new look Manchester United next season.

This article has been contributed by: Karan Karpe (@karpekarpe92) and Hrushikesh Panchwagh (@HrushiPanchwagh)