Manchester United returned to the top four under Louis van Gaal last season, and the Red Devils are expected to improve even further in the 2015-16 campaign with a busy summer of transfer activity anticipated.
Eurosport reported that van Gaal has been handed another £150m to spend over the coming months, and there are set to be some blockbuster arrivals – and perhaps departures – at Old Trafford.
As such, we’ve put together a potential starting XI for the Premier League giants next season, with this possible 4-3-3 certainly one of the most formidable in Europe.
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Man United transfer rumour round-up: including Schneiderlin/Ramos/Schweinsteiger latest
GK – Jasper Cillessen (Ajax)
David De Gea, despite a fee yet to be agreed upon with Real Madrid, looks destined to return to the Spanish capital before the start of the new campaign. Replacing a goalkeeper of such quality as the Spaniard will be no easy task for van Gaal, but rumoured target Cillessen [via the Express] would be a fine successor for the No.1 shirt.
RB – Seamus Coleman (Everton)
According to the Daily Mail, the 26-year-old is van Gaal’s first-choice right-back target. The defensive position is a significant area of concern for Manchester United, with midfielder Antonio Valencia – while deputising well and a threat going forward – is often susceptible to defensive errors. Coleman has been excellent for the Toffees over the past few seasons, and his confidence at Goodison Park suggests he could adapt to the pressure at Old Trafford with ease.
CB – Chris Smalling
Ideally, an English partnership of Phil Jones and Smalling would surely be preferred at Old Trafford – if just for communication reasons – with Chelsea’s John Terry and Gary Cahill a chief example of such success. However, the duo’s ability on the European stage is still questioned. Smalling, nonetheless, impressed van Gaal last season, improving tremendously under the Dutchman, and may be considered his long-term centre-back.
CB – Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid)
Despite the intense speculation that Los Blancos’ vice-captain is heading to Old Trafford this summer, questions still remain on whether the defender is simply trying to earn himself a new deal at the Santiago Bernabeu. Nonetheless, the prospect of signing a European superstar is certainly exciting – even if he is one of Europe’s most volatile centre-backs.
LB – Luke Shaw
Injury damaged the former Southampton star’s debut season with the Premier League giants but – at just 19 and with a year’s experience under van Gaal – the teen could return to top form in the 2015-16 campaign.
DM – Morgan Schneiderlin (Southampton)
Reports [via the Independent] claimed that the Red Devils have had a £20m bid rejected for the Saints midfielder, but could return with an improve offer, perhaps matching Southampton’s £25m valuation. The France international was at the heart of his current club’s incredible 2014-15 season, as they challenged for a place in the top four, and could be an excellent replacement to the injury-plagued Michael Carrick.
CM – Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich)
At 30-years-old, it is of course uncertain just how well the Germany international could adapt to the intensity of England’s top flight. Nonetheless, the thought of the World Cup winner – valued at just £10m [via the Daily Star] – lining up in the Manchester United midfield must surely arouse excitement.
CM – Ander Herrera
The Spain midfielder saw his start to his Red Devils career halted through injury; however, his return to fitness in the second-half of the campaign proved what an asset the 25-year-old is in the centre of the park. He could light up Old Trafford and the Premier League next season.
RW – Memphis Depay
Manchester United acted quick in agreeing a deal for the winger before the transfer window even opened, and there are high hopes that the Netherlands international could be one of the signings of the summer. The 21-year-old finished as the Dutch Eredivisie’s top goalscorer – with 22 of his strikes hitting the back of the net – and with a shortage of goals from the Red Devils’ attack last season, the Old Trafford faithful will be hoping that his form in front of goal continues.
ST – Wayne Rooney
Reports have suggested that the Red Devils could be in the market for a new striker in the summer – with Paris Saint-Germain’s Edinson Cavani having been linked – but do Manchester United really need to spend big on another forward? Yes, the club’s captain finished the last campaign with just 12 goals, but 14 of his 33 appearances in the Premier League were in central midfield. The 29-year-old’s best position is unquestionably as the main striker – where double figures are almost guaranteed.
LW – Angel Di Maria
The Argentina winger was hugely underwhelming in his first season at Old Trafford, but with a player of such natural ability, the 27-year-old will surely return to top form. There can’t be many Premier League supporters not wishing to see the former Real Madrid star at his finest in England next season.
