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Louis van Gaal has said that he will look to strengthen Manchester United’s flanks before this transfer window is over, and has stoked the Angel Di Maria fire by mentioning his name yesterday to Sunday Mirror.
Van Gaal appeared to have a more restrained approach to the transfer season than before, saying United will bring in new players only when they need to. Club vice-chairman Ed Woodward had earlier insisted they would break some transfer records this time around.
Van Gaal: United don’t have high quality wingers
When Van Gaal was quizzed about Woodward’s comments, the Dutch coach who has brought back a sense of order at the club said, “At this moment, we have five No.9s and four No.10s – and we don’t have wingers to give us attacking width.”
“Or, I should say, we don't have wingers of the highest level, like Ronaldo or Di Maria or somebody like that. So, I have to play in another way – and you have seen that already. I only buy when I think we need to buy – in the position that is necessary."
Clearly, now that Van Gaal has got a feel of the team in his charge, he feels balance is more important that random big-money signings.
Angel di Maria has been looking for the suitable club to come along for the whole of this summer, and such words of praise will not escape his notice; more so because Van Gaal has remained tight-lipped on names so far. Fiorentina’s Colombian winger Juan Cuadrado has also been linked with a move to bolster the United flanks.
Van Gaal’s Dutch charges are considered to be possible United targets as well, most notably Ajax’s Daley Blind who played as a left wingback in the World Cup and had a brilliant match against Spain, having two assists to his name.
Van Gaal said further, “Nationality isn't something that concerns me. But Dutch players are usually cheaper than players of other nationalities and they have usually been very well educated in the Netherlands. But they have to be of a level than can play well in the English Premier League.”
