Manchester United are officially a Champions League side again as of next season. Louis van Gaal’s men will take centre stage in Europe and a squad overhaul is on the horizon.
While names such as Jonny Evans, Robin van Persie and David De Gea may be on the way out, plenty of incoming players have been touted for moves to Old Trafford in return.
Memphis Depay is the first of many transfers by United this summer, and fans will almost certainly expect to see more new faces.
As with all transfer windows, it’s an exciting time. There’s tonnes of speculation, and big money thrown about. For United, the main outgoing rumour is David De Gea. Whereas Gundogan is widely rumoured to be incoming.
I’ll be taking a look at a realistic Manchester United Line-Up that could potentially be on show next season. I’ll be including 4 new faces in this squad, however I have left De Gea in – with the hope that he will stay at United.
De Gea
Clyne – Hummels – Smalling – Shaw
Gundogan – Carrick – Herrera
Di Maria – Rooney – Depay
This team would be a huge step in the right direction for United, and would surely ensure the side are title contenders once again.
There are several players who could join United this summer, I expect around 4,5 or 6 if you include a replacement for De Gea.
It’s hugely rumoured that LvG will be looking for players in the following positions, along with these positions, I’ll give a list of 3 players who could be on United’s radar.
Full Back (Right/ Left)
These targets are fairly realistic for United, it will certainly be interesting to see how determined LvG will be to sign them.
As we know, a right back and centre back addition is vital for next season. Nathaniel Clyne has been heavily linked, but with Madrid signing Danilo recently, it could open the door for Dani Carvajal to leave. Whether LvG rates the Spaniard higher than Clyne will remain to be seen. At left back, I am confident Luke Shaw will step up and become the sides permanent number 3. However, with his injury problems this season, Madrid’s Fabio Coentrao could be an option. United have been crying out for a leader of a centre back all season long. Chris Smalling has done a good job recently, but should Matts Hummels or Nicolas Otamendi become available, I’m sure LvG wouldn’t think twice about getting a deal done. Aymeric Laporte is another option, the young Frenchman’s style of play is a breath of fresh air and he would definitely become a big player in years to come.
In midfield, Ilkay Gundogan has been hugely linked with United. He could be seen as a Michael Carrick replacement, however I’m not so sure. For me, the most natural ‘number 6’ replacement would be Kevin Strootman, but with his injury woes it looks unlikely he will make a move away from Roma anytime soon. Radja Nainggolan and of course Paul Pogba are other options.
Now, with Van Persie, Hernandez and Falcao set to leave United, a new forward is a must. Memphis Depay can play in an advanced role, but it’s more than likely the player will be used as a winger, his favoured position. Alexandre Lacazette would be my main target, the Frenchman has been prolific for Lyon this season. We have previously discussed a move for Lacazette on the ManUNews Blog, which you can read here. Other options include PSG’s Edinson Cavani, who needs no introduction, and Palermo’s Paulo Dybala, another youngster with a wicked record.
Whatever happens during the summer, here at ManUNews we’ll have it covered.