The clock is ticking!
So far, Victor Valdes has been the only arrival at Old Trafford, but there are irons in the fire and the gossip columns are populated with Manchester United talk on an almost daily basis. Naturally, there are some big names in the mix, and a dream XI for the Red Devils with some of these players included is mouth-watering…
Don’t believe us? Then see how things could be in a perfect scenario!
David de Gea
The brick wall, De Gea has been stunning so far this season.
Keeping him long term remains a slight issue as Real Madrid lurk, but for the rest of this season at the very least, the Spaniard remains as vital as the likes of Rooney and Di Maria.
Opposition striker now appear to feat De Gea in much the same way Edwin van der Sar and Peter Schmeichel edged the psychological battles with big names in the past.
Mats Hummels
As unlikely as a deal looks this month, Hummels remains the dream man for many United fans.
The German World Cup winner is, arguably, Europe’s very best centre-back at the moment, despite Dortmund’s Bundesliga woes, so his addition would surely go some way to easing the concerns Louis van Gaal may have surrounding his three-man defence.
However, he will not come cheap!
Nicolas Otamendi
Another defender to be linked with an Old Trafford switch is Valencia’s Otamendi.
A centre-back very much of the ‘old school’ mould, the Argentine is a strong physical presence at the back and knows how to keep opponents at bay, which would surely be of use to Van Gaal, who has had to rely on midfielders at the back at stages of the season so far.
Phil Jones
Of the Red Devils’ back three right now, Jones is, arguably, the pick of the bunch.
The England international may not have reached the heights many predicted for him during his breakthrough at Blackburn just yet, but with some assured players alongside him, his natural game may come to the fore.
He’s also on corner-kick duty at the moment, which is, albeit unusual, a potential deal breaker for LVG.
Seamus Coleman
The man who cost £60,000 a few years back for Everton has really been a revelation over the last 18 months.
Since Roberto Martinez’s Goodison Park arrival, the Irish right-back’s attacking game has been a major factor in all that has been impressive about the Merseysiders.
His performances, although this season Everton have been off the pace, have attracted United, with LVG thought to see him as a solution to his right wing-back conundrum.
Daley Blind
United are not short of left-sided defensive options, but Blind is, in our opinion, the best of the lot.
The Dutchman has been a central midfielder at club level for a while now, but his natural role is further back on the flank, with his strength, ability to get forward and technique all good tools in the coming into the final third.
Marcos Rojo is another option, which is a benefit for Van Gaal.
Michael Carrick
Loved by United fans, Carrick is very much a fans’ favourite at Old Trafford.
Although not the most dynamic of players, the ex-Spurs ace’s range of passing and cool head in the middle of the park makes him a key player in LVG’s team, and it’s no coincidence that some of the club’s better performances this term have come with him pulling the strings in the middle.
Kevin Strootman
Seemingly the one Van Gaal wants above all others, Strootman is likely to be a summer target for the Red Devils.
However, there is the slimmest of slim possibilities that plans could be accelerated, which is just about keeping United fans on the edge of their seats as the clock ticks towards the deadline.
LVG coached the Roma man at international level until the summer, and is known to be a fan of him, meaning that a fruitful relationship could help fortunes at Old Trafford.
Angel di Maria
No United XI right now would be complete without the Argentine, who has been a standout performer since his record breaking £60m arrival over the summer.
In an attacking midfield role, the ex-Real Madrid man is a danger to opponents of any level, with his pace and skills on the ball enough to unlock even the most frugal of defences.
Wayne Rooney
With Di Maria back in the ‘no. 10’ role, Rooney can be shifted ‘up top’.
Although impressive and able to influence the game more from midfield, Rooney’s skills are clearly better suited to being in the final third for the bulk of the 90 minutes, with his finishing and positive attitude standout traits.
Van Gaal by now must know ‘Wazza’s’ game, so the Dutchman could tailor his attack to play to the skipper’s strengths.
Robin van Persie
Not quite the force he was, Van Persie is still a lethal finisher on his day.
The Dutchman boasts vast experience and has been an influential figure at Old Trafford since moving up to the North West from Arsenal, and with LVG boasting a strong working relationship with him from their time in the Netherlands set-up, things are in place to end the season on a real high.
