Peter Schmeichel claims Manchester United’s top targets are all willing to join the club

Peter Schmeichel during his days at Old Trafford

Former goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel has revealed that Manchester United have already opened talks with their primary transfer targets, all of whom are keen on a move to Old Trafford.

The Red Devils have been linked with a flurry of players since Louis van Gaal was appointed as their new manager last month as the club look to make a number of new additions in order to challenge for silverware next season.

However, it has been suggested United may struggle to attract the necessary calibre of player to the club, considering their failure to qualify for next season’s Champions League.

But the ex-goalkeeper is adamant the Dutch coach will be able to bring in who he chooses given his stature as one of Europe’s most high profile managers.

“Name me someone bigger and who has done more in football,” he said.

“He knows exactly what he wants. He’s got direction, the ability and experience at big clubs such as Barcelona and Bayern Munich. He’s also with the Dutch team now, a team that could possibly win the World Cup. He’s a big enough name and I know the list that he’s given [executive vice chairman] Ed Woodward,” Schmeichel revealed.

“All of them are in talks and are willing to join Manchester United. So you can argue that United still has the brand, the players still want to come here.

“Is it going to work? I don’t know. We’ll have to wait and see. It’s a long summer,” he said.

He also mentioned that United should forget what happened last season and look for a fresh beginning.

“I don’t want to talk too much about that because we all know that it wasn’t good. We’ve made a lot of changes and we are going to make more changes for sure. We’ve gotten ourselves a new manager and he’s given a list of players he needs to sign, so that’s going to happen over the summer.”

“So we’ll see changes for sure. Hopefully, we’ll have a much better season.”

Van Gaal has refused to discuss his role at United with the media until his World Cup campaign with the Netherlands has been concluded, but Schmeichel’s comments suggest he has already started to put his plans into actions.

Manchester United have been linked with Barcelona’s Cesc Fabregas and Roma’s Kevin Strootman, amongst others, in recent days, as the under performing midfield ranks appear to have remained a priority for the club.