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Manchester United’s surge up the table may have come too late this year with Louis Van Gaal’s side finally understanding his philosophy.
8 points behind leaders Chelsea, with the West London club also having a game in hand United will rue dropped points against the likes of Swansea and that terrible Christmas period where draws against the likes of Aston Villa and Stoke saw United lose ground.
But Van Gaal is on course to finish in the top 3 as he stated was his intention, thus allowing for further spending in the summer to help build the team to his specifications.
Earlier this week former United captain Gary Neville suggested that United were 3 players away from being title contenders, stating:
“Two or three months ago, they would have been thinking Chelsea are a long way in front of us. Now the recruitment battle that will happen in the summer becomes critical. If they get that right, United will feel confident they can challenge Chelsea for the title next season.
“I don’t think this summer is a case of United rebuilding or total restructure of the squad. They need to continue to improve in two or three positions: a central defender, a midfielder and a winger.”
But who are these 3 players?
Firstly you would agree that United need a central defender with the likes of Smalling, Jones and Rojo all doing a passable job of defenders for a top club but with United likely to enter Europe next season passable impressions won’t be good enough and United will need real quality at the back.
Next is a central midfielder, this is an interesting one as United seem to have found a real gem in Ander Herrera. The Spaniard creates, scores and has the mettle about him to do a defensive shift if required. The problem arises with Michael Carrick though. An astonishing player who’s worth to the side can be seen in the performances when he is and isn’t playing, at 32 will need replacing sooner rather than later. Players of his quality aren’t readily available so United will likely go another route.
And finally Neville suggested a winger. This one I’m not so sure about as Ashley Young has been in good form out wide all season to suggest it is more than just a purple patch, add to that Angel Di Maria will be one year more experienced and at a push you can throw Nani’s name in the mix with the Portuguese star having a pretty impressive season back with Sporting Lisbon.
Personally I’d look for a striker. Robin Van Persie may be on his way out of the club, Falcao’s deal won’t (shouldn’t) be made permanent meaning United will only have Wayne Rooney and James Wilson as striking options.
Van Gaal has confirmed that plans are already in place to sign players and have been since January as United wanted to avoid the problems of last summer where Van Gaal’s late arrival and the late signing of players didn’t see the team really mesh until it is too late:
“Already in January [we began thinking about next season] because we have to prepare our pre-season and Manchester United will go to America.“The aim is of course that we have to train and not only to play matches. Already for three or four months we are talking about our pre-season.“We also think about the scouting of players, the scouting of our own players because we have a lot on loan and then we have to analyse their performances, so it’s a lot of work.“It’s not only the present season but also what we have to decide for players next season.”
So here are our picks as to who these players are
Central Defender
The most obvious is the Borussia Dortmund’s captain Mats Hummels. Initially the World Cup winner stated that he would stay at Dortmund despite their poor season. But as the season progressed his tune changed and manager Jurgen Klopp has admitted that the 26 year old is considering a move to Old Trafford.
News that Klopp would be leaving Dortmund this summer will have come as news to United’s ears as his departure will likely hasten Hummels’ steps.
Not the quickest of defenders Hummels’ composure and assuredness at the back will finally help alleviate some of the pressure on David De Gea (If he is still United’s keeper next year!), so the only question is who will partner him?
Central Midfielder
This is a somewhat harder pick, as what United need hasn’t been determined. Will they go for a physical presence in the middle, the kind sought in Marouane Fellaini? Or will they seek to replace the ageing Carrick with a deep lying playmaker?
The two most frequently mentioned players would both be accepted with open arms at Old Trafford (admittedly one more than the other) the first being Ilkay Gundogan. The German international has had a torrid time with injuries but back in the Dortmund squad, the midfielder is slowly getting back to where he was, with his name being mentioned amongst the best midfielders in the world. United signing an injured central midfielder? This has deja vu written all over it (Owen Hargreaves!) so there may be a reluctance to move for him opening the door for a big money move for Paul Pogba.
In a move that would be seen as the return of the prodigal son United will have to part with BIG money as well as fend off interest from the world and his wife to get the French star but he would be ideal being able to operate in a number of roles in the middle of the park. Previously angry about his departure from the club, Pogba’s stance has softened recently, with the 22 year old talking up the club but will United be willing to deal with Mino Raiola to secure their former youth player’s signature?
Another option is Sami Khedira after the German confirmed that he would be leaving the Bernabeu this summer. With wages of £200k, the 28 year old could be an expensive option, even if he could do a good job for the title hopefuls.
A short term solution for United could be Nigel De Jong, who will be a free agent this summer when his AC Milan contract expires. Having worked under Van Gaal before, and seemingly keen on a move to Old Trafford, De Jong may disappoint some fans of his former club Man City if he returns to Manchester.
Injury has scuppered Kevin Strootman‘s move to Old Trafford again, whilst a move for Arturo Vidal seems unlikely after it failed to materialise last summer. Koke and Bastian Schweinsteiger also seem long shots.
Winger
Another seemingly nailed on transfer is for PSV’s Memphis Depay who’s manager Phillip Cocu is resigned to losing this summer. The high flying attacker starred for Van Gaal last summer in Brazil and United will beat both Tottenham and Liverpool to his signature. With Depay also able to play a support striker role he further fits the Van Gaal mold of being able to function in various positions. Depay has an impressive 25 goals this season (which would make him United’s top scorer) so he would be a welcome addition to the squad.
