Manchester United are clearly one of the richest clubs in world football, though even they would be foolish to pass up the possibility of pulling off a bargain swoop.
As another season draws to a close, the contract situations of a number of stars become increasingly interesting.
Big money signings may indeed make the headlines, though the Red Devils have previously shown an aptitude in pulling off these kind of deals in the past.
Both Laurent Blanc and Michael Owen, two big name European players, have arrived upon the expiration of their deals to go on to win league titles with the club in days gone by.
Considering the fact the Red Devils have plunged £250m into the squad to little success, perhaps they should reign in the spending somewhat and scoure the free market.
They won’t, of course. But they should.
There are plenty of options out there.
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PRESS THE IMAGE BELOW TO SEE 5 FREE TRANSFER UNITED SHOULD MAKE TO HELP A TITLE CHALLENGE.
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Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Suggesting Zlatan Ibrahimovic would be a good signing on a free transfer is no profound footballing insight of course. But, it would.
The superstar Swede has proved as potent as ever this season and would obviously bring goals to a United attack that has struggled to score this term.
The sheer variety of goals he scores would also add an element of the unpredictability to the ranks, having looked so methodical and one paced for much of the campaign.
His winning mentality would also spruce the place up a bit in general too.
Gregory Van Der Wiel
Fellow PSG ace Gregory van der Wiel is also entering the closing stages of his deal and the Dutch international could help fix a problem area at Old Trafford.
Matteo Darmian has failed to wholly convince in the right-back role, while somehow Antonio Valencia is still a Manchester United player.
The Oranje star is barely Phillip Lahm, though would be a stronger alternative for Darmian than the Ecuadorian.
Hatem Ben Arfa
The Manchester United attack has been lacking a creative spark for much of the campaign this season.
Having found his form again in Ligue 1 this season, there are few better players to remedy that than Hatem Ben Arfa. Against all odds, the Frenchman is developing into the sort of player many predicted he would become while with Newcastle United.
On his way out of Nice having signed just a one year deal, bringing him back to the Premier League could prove to be a stroke of genius.
Sofiane Feghouli
Sofiane Feghouli has been linked with a move to Old Trafford upon the expiration of his deal with La Liga giants Valencia.
An incisive winger the class of the Algerian will be hard to come by on a better deal, especially considering reports the Red Devils are keen on €35m Sporting Lisbon winger Joao Mario.
A direct wide man with plenty of pace, at just 26-years of age, the Valencia man would be a wonderful option on the cheap.
Ever Banega
Argentine international has been strongly linked with a free transfer to Inter Milan, though nothing has yet been confirmed.
If the Sevilla star is available, then the Red Devils simply must move for him. They have severely lacked someone to play a killer pass this term, to keep the ball ticking over. Granted, Michael Carrick is a pass master. But he’s also slow becoming a past master.
The 27-year old can simply do it all. He can sit and hold, stay up top and play off the forwards, or even dribble aggressively through traffic as a box-to-box midfielder.
