Manchester United have been, and will continue to be, linked with scores of players throughout the summer before the transfer window closes at the beginning of September.
With speculation suggesting that Manchester United have anywhere up to a £200 million transfer kitty, the signings of Luke Shaw and Ander Herrera may hardly have touched the sides.
You could argue that Manchester United still need to sign players for every department of the side. The defence could do with commanding centre back. And the strikeforce can always use fresh legs.
But the midfield is probably the most pressing concern for Van Gaal as he assesses his squad. He’s already brought in Ander Herrera, a silky and technically brilliant creator, who some expect to take the place of Iniesta in the Spanish national side.
And the two others who have been most strongly linked to Manchester United of late are Angel Di Maria and Arturo Vidal.
Vidal
More than anything Manchester United need an anchorman – someone to take the baton from Roy Keane – a player to turn to when backs are against the wall. Someone to will his team forward from the centre of the park and chip in with the odd goal. Vidal does all this and more. He’s a must-buy.
Di Maria
We have reservations about whether he will take Manchester United to the next level and whether he is worth the price being mooted. But he is a natural left-footer who will add width and, hopefully, a better quality delivery from that flank. Manchester United have yet to replace Giggs and fans will hope that Di Maria can be that man.
So, if we assume that Van Gaal will play a 4-4-2 this could be the new look midfield
Di Maria, Herrera, Vidal, Januzaj
With a 3-5-2 Di Maria could play up top with Shaw at wing back and Rooney behind Di Maria and RvP:
Shaw, Herrera, Rooney, Vidal, Rafael
Or a 3-4-3 with Shaw on the left of midfield and Di Maria on the left of a front 3:
Shaw, Herrera, Vidal, Valencia
Finally the 4-3-3 with Rooney and Di Maria either side of RvP up top:
Mata, Vidal, Herrera
Manchester United fans: Let’s have your thoughts. Do you think that Louis could even buy a new right sided player aswell as Vidal and Di Maria?
jack
Jul 11, 2014 at 9:34 pm
well if i had 4-3-3 then id have Vidal, Herrera and Mata (with mata playing in a more attacking role than the other two, like a no10) then id have Di Maria on the right, Rooney on the left and RVP up front. That is my dream team for united with Hummels, De Vrij/Vermaelean, Shaw and Rafael at the back
simon
Jul 11, 2014 at 9:49 pm
I think that united starting eleven will be the strongest in the Premier League PROVIDING the RIGHT PLAYERS ARE SIGNED
Starting eleven with likely signings:
De Gea
Rafael Evans *VERMAELEN* Shaw
Herrera *VIDAL* Mata
*DI MARIA* Rooney
Van Persie
Would be vastly improved if we managed to capture Hummels and Janmaat, or even better, revert to a 5-2-1-2 to play two up top – RVP and CAVANI, how amazing would that be?
Safe to say – I think 2014/15 will be the most interesting and wide-open campaign ever. And it will be even sweeter to see Liverpool return to mid table without Chewy Suarez!
Osman ceesay
Jul 11, 2014 at 11:39 pm
This would be the best team in the premiet league
karaske
Jul 12, 2014 at 5:54 am
lvg is d rite man, cn’t wait 2 c him @ d theatre of dreams….lol
Alex
Jul 12, 2014 at 12:18 pm
Best team in the prem
arems
Jul 13, 2014 at 12:07 am
I love dis sings
seleman hamis
Jul 13, 2014 at 9:45 am
LVG Should formulate Strong defence by adding Matt humels & T.Vermalain, with the additional of A.Vidal to the midfield and A.Di Maria to the winger.