Manchester United should look to close the gap on Chelsea this close season

Manchester United

Other areas that need strengthening

Two other key areas that United need to strengthen to take them to the next level is defensive midfield and up front. Whilst Michael Carrick did superbly well just in front of the back four last season, the 33-year-old England international was for too injury prone and can’t be relied on for the whole campaign to stay injury free.

Ander Herrera was played there in his absence and did well, but it is not his specialty, Wayne Rooney was also deployed there but didn’t have much effect on the game and it is not his favoured position, while with Daley Blind in that role the team looked a bit cautious or defensive and lacked that creativity from midfield.

United need is a quality midfielder in that role who could stop the opposition attacks and create chances for his side. A move to bring Paul Pogba back home was the priority this summer but with him likely to join either Manchester City or Barcelona, the club has started pursuing different targets.

Rooney and Schneiderlin
The midfield is an area that United needs strengthening

Ilkay Gundogan has been linked with a move for some time now but with just one year left on his contract it’s unclear whether the German international will sign a new deal and stay at Dortmund or move away for a new beginning.

Bastian Schweinsteiger also has one year left on his contract at the Allianz Arena but is said to be tempted with a move to Old Trafford and various reports claim that a £7.5million deal is on the cards. Van Gaal has worked with the German international during his time in charge of Bayern Munich and the player has often spoken of the influence the Dutchman has had on his career.

However, Morgan Schneiderlin looks the most likely arrival. The French international said on Wednesday that he hoped his future would be resolved by next week, when Southampton return for pre-season training, and according to many reports, United are in pole position and closing in on the £24million capture of the midfielder. Either one of the above or even Roma’s Radja Nainggolan will be a major signing for the club and make a real difference to United’s midfield.

Solving the striker’s conundrum

Up front, Robin van Persie could well leave for pastures new after having his least prolific season since his injury-ravaged 2009-10 campaign, while Falcao is on the verge of joining Chelsea on season-long loan after United opted against signing him on a permanent deal.

Javier Hernandez is back from his loan spell at Real Madrid but the Mexican is also expected to leave as Van Gaal doesn’t rate him. That leaves them with just Rooney and the young James Wilson as their first team striking options and so signing a top goalscorer this summer is a must.

They were linked with the likes of Roberto Firmino, Mario Mandzukic and Jackson Martinez but have failed in their pursuit with the trio joining Liverpool, Juventus and Atletico Madrid respectively.

If the Reds wants to go down the Colombian road again then Carlos Bacca could be an option. The 28-year-old led Sevilla to Europa League glory this year and has regularly scored goals in every league he has played in, so it may not be too much of an adjustment to come to the Premier League. However, Liverpool remains the favourites to activate his €30million release clause.

Harry Kane
Harry Kane was courted by Manchester United to solve their striking issues

Karin Benzema could be an attractive option but wants to stay at Real Madrid and is not keen on a move to Old Trafford, Edinson Cavani is thought to be interested in a switch to the Premier League but with the future of Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the air at PSG, the Uruguayan might end up staying in France, while Alexandre Lacazette, who was the star in the Ligue 1 this season, has left himself open to offer, although Lyon want at least £35million to see him leave.

United are also keen on Germany international striker Thomas Muller, a player long admired by Van Gaal, but Bayern Munich are reluctant to do any deal. Finally, Harry Kane is reportedly on United’s radar and is their number one summer target for this position.

The England forward had an outstanding season scoring 31 goals in all competitions, but United would be taking the risk that one good season could be backed up by the 21-year-old. He is one of the hottest prospects in English football at present and if United are able to get him to Old Trafford then he could well be the difference between a runners-up spot and their 21st league title.

Overall, Manchester United do need at least three-four top quality players and they have the spending power to attract players of such calibre. Last summer’s acquisition of Di Maria is enough to tell anyone that and with signings of that calibre, the whole team will look a lot more like one that’s capable of not only challenging but also winning the title.

Van Gaal said; “we are very close” and with the right signings in the right areas this summer, they will be even close next season. No one really knows what is the Dutchman’s philosophy, but one thing that everyone knows is that he has won the league title everywhere he has been to and will do the same at Old Trafford.

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