It’s mission accomplished for Manchester United and Louis van Gaal who are set to qualify for the Champions League once again after a one season absence.
With that very much being the aim at the start of 2014/15, the Red Devils have got there and after Arsenal claimed a point at Old Trafford yesterday, it looks as though Manchester United will have to negotiate a qualifier to make the group stage next term.
With United fans having probably taken that before a ball was kicked this term, Red Devils fans can look forward to being able to more easily attract Europe’s biggest names to Old Trafford although they will claim they managed to scoop the likes of Angel Di Maria and Radamel Falcao despite losing their European status.
With PSV Eindhoven’s Memphis Depay already in the bag for next season, United fans are hoping that van Gaal continues to splash the cash with a world class centre back, powerful defensive midfielder, reluctantly a replacement for David De Gea and also a replacement for Radamel Falcao on the wanted list.
With Depay more of a winger than an out-and-out forward, United will need to replace Falcao adequately with Javier Hernandez unlikely to forge his way back into the first team picture at Old Trafford.
With that in mind, here are five strikers to help United win the Premier League title in 2015/16.
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Click on Louis van Gaal below to reveal the 5 strikers to help Manchester United win the Premier League next season.
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Gareth Bale
A half striker much like Memphis Depay, Gareth Bale would still more than satisfy the requirement of losing an out-and-out striker such as Falcao, simply given his flair, power and pace.
Unfairly taking a lot of the flak for Real Madrid’s poor season by their incredibly lofty standards, for months now this has led to intense speculation that Bale could be ready to pack his Spanish life in before returning to familiar shores once again.
With each misplaced pass greeted by boos from a section of his own fans at present, there is only so much of this behaviour that a humble player such as Bale can take before assessing his future plans.
Despite Bale claiming that it is making him stronger as a person, his confidence has gone at the minute but there is no doubting that when on form, he can prove unstoppable.
The question remains however; how much would it cost to land the man who is still the world’s most expensive player?
Mauro Icardi
With United scouts reportedly having been deployed to watch Icardi in action for Inter Milan against Verona last month, the Argentine striker is another who would definitely fit the bill for the Red Devils.
Currently the joint second highest scorer in Serie A this term with 19 strikes – just one off Carlos Tevez – this kind of form suggests he wouldn’t find goalscoring a problem in the Premier League.
With Inter currently struggling down in eighth place in Serie A in a dramatic fall from grace, such was their former riches, Icardi might see this summer as the ideal time to jump ship and progress his career overseas.
One thing is for sure however; United will have to move quick for his signature with Chelsea also a rumoured destination for the Argentine.
With Palermo having confirmed that Paulo Dybala will be joining Juventus next term, one less striking target is now available for United so the speculation around his fellow countryman Icardi is likely to become more intense.
Edinson Cavani
Could it be one shaggy haired South American departing Old Trafford to make way for another one arriving?
With Falcao having seemingly said his goodbyes to the Old Trafford faithful yesterday afternoon, Edinson Cavani could be the ideal replacement for the Colombian.
Cavani still boasts something of an esteemed reputation in Europan football and after all, the Uruguayan has just lifted the Ligue 1 title again with Paris Saint-Germain in his second season at the Parc Des Princes.
But the interesting angle hear is that Angel himself – Angel Di Maria – has been interesting the Parisians for a little while now and perhaps Laurent Blanc’s side would be interested in acquiring him after a forgettable first season in England.
This is where our Red Devils supporting punters are suggesting resides an opportunity to potentially snare Cavani although others claim Di Maria will come good next term after a year’s experience in England’s top flight.
Christian Benteke
Representing the kind of striker that Manchester United currently lack, Christian Benteke boasts brute strength and lethal finishing ability that holds him in good stead to potentially succeed at Old Trafford.
The tabloids are yet to link him with a Red Devils switch thus far in the lead up to the summer transfer window but after rediscovering his best form under new Aston Villa boss Tim Sherwood, his star has been on the rise once more.
And who knows, if he managed to down Arsenal in the forthcoming FA Cup Final, surely everybody would start talking about Benteke as being a viable option to help the Red Devils in their title quest next term, no?
Harry Kane
A far-fetched rumour but potentially one to keep an eye on?
A couple of days ago, The Mirror led with the story that Manchester United are eyeing a £45 million summer swoop for Tottenham’s PFA Young Player of the Year, Harry Kane.
Set to miss out on the Golden Boot to Sergio Aguero with his 20 strikes to the Argentine’s 25, Kane is no longer the third choice striking option at White Hart Lane who needs that loan move to develop as a striker.
In a truly wonderful breakthrough season for Kane, he has turned into a tall, powerful and clinical striker whose movement sets him apart from many other forwards in the Premier League.
With Kane having come through Tottenham’s academy – after that much publicised schoolboy spell at Arsenal of course – it is this fact alone that makes you question whether he’d really get on the wrong side of Spurs fans by switching up north to United.
Nevertheless, this is football and stranger things have happened although at present, we can’t see it happening.
