Manchester United return to Premier League action this weekend, looking to bounce back from last weekend’s 1-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge when they travel to Goodison Park to take on Everton.
Louis van Gaal’s side currently occupy third place in the Premier League, a point behind second placed Arsenal – who also have a game in hand.
It has been a season of progression at Old Trafford, with United steadily improving under their Dutch manager – especially in the last six weeks.
Prior to their defeat at Stamford Bridge, United had won six consecutive Premier League matches, including impressive performances against top four rivals Tottenham, Liverpool and Manchester City.
Next season will be all about mounting a serious title challenge however, and van Gaal is set to splash even more cash in the summer.
Here we have identified five targets to reinvigorate United for next season.
[ffc-gallery]
Click on Louis van Gaal to reveal 5 signings who would reinvigorate Manchester United this summer
[/ffc-gallery]
Nathaniel Clyne
United are keen to add some more ‘homegrown’ players to their ranks next season, and Nathaniel Clyne of Southampton has been one of the best English players of the Premier League season.
Van Gaal has often deployed Antonio Valencia at right back this season, and although the former Wigan man has excelled in that position in recent weeks, he is still considered a natural winger.
Clyne would give United more options defensively and going forward, whilst adding to their required quota of homegrown talent.
Kevin Strootman
The Dutchman has been on Manchester United’s radar for the best part of two years, and this summer could be the time in which the club finally land their man.
Strootman’s proposed move to Old Trafford was disrupted by a horror injury, but now having worked his way back to fitness, reports suggest a deal with Roma is all but agreed.
Strootman is the ideal modern midfielder, and will allow the likes of Ander Herrera, Juan Mata and Maraoune Fellaini to go forward and cause all sorts of problems next season.
Memphis Depay
The Dutch league has not always been a great indication of true quality, but this lad looks as though he could prove to be an exception.
Memphis Depay is a player van Gaal knows well, after he announced himself on the world stage last summer by becoming the Netherlands youngest ever goalscorer at a World Cup.
He has excelled further at PSV this season, and would be a real asset to United with his pace down either flank and his ability from dead balls.
Still just 21, there is plenty of time for United to mould this £15million rated winger into a world class player.
Mats Hummels
The World Cup winner was understood to be a target for Manchester United last summer, but his loyalty to Dortmund and in particular Jurgen Klopp left a move dead in the water.
It could well be a different story this time around however, with Dortmund having endured a wretched season, and Klopp announcing he is set to depart the club at the end of the current campaign.
That leaves Dortmund vulnerable to losing several of their top stars, and with United still in need of a top class centre back, we expect them to reignite their interest in Hummels as soon as the transfer window opens.
Christian Benteke
With Radamel Falcao unlikely to extend his stay at Old Trafford beyond the summer, United look set to enter the market for a new centre forward.
Whilst the club have been linked with world renowned forwards the likes of Robert Lewandowski and Edinson Cavani, a man closer to home may be the best and most affordable option.
Having found a system that seems to work at last, Louis van Gaal looks set to keep faith with the 4-3-3 next season, with Wayne Rooney as a central striker.
Cavani and Lewandowski are unlikely to join knowing they will have to compete with Rooney and Robin van Persie for one spot, whilst Christian Benteke may be more open to the idea.
The Belgian has been outstanding since Tim Sherwood took over at Villa with nine goals in nine matches, and having fired the goals that look to have dragged them to safety, he would be keen to take the next step in his career in the summer.
