It hasn’t been the most exciting start to the season for Manchester United.
Two unconvincing 1-0 victories over Tottenham and Aston Villa have been followed by a goalless draw at home to Newcastle a the weekend, whilst captain Wayne Rooney has now gone 10 matches without a goal for the Red Devils.
That particular stat has seen United linked with a host of new strikers, with the latest superstar to be linked with a switch to Old Trafford being Barcelona forward Neymar.
Some reports have suggested the Brazilian would be open to a switch to Old Trafford, despite starring in Barcelona’s treble winning 2014-15 season.
With seven days of the transfer window remaining, we have identified United’s best XI they could field this season – that includes the Brazilian superstar.
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Click on Louis van Gaal to reveal the best XI Manchester United can field this season including Neymar
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David De Gea
Despite not featuring yet this season, the Spaniard remains on the club’s books as one of the most outstanding goalkeepers in Europe.
Louis van Gaal has just seven days to hang onto one of his star men, with Real Madrid having been told several times the Atletico man is not for sale.
United are hopeful they can get one more season out of the 24-year-old.
Matteo Darmian
The Italian full back has impressed everyone during the opening few weeks of the season, with United fans convinced they have signed the new Gary Neville.
Darmian looks everything Rafael wasn’t at right back – calm and composed – and has played a big part in United’s three consecutive clean sheets at the start of the season.
Van Gaal will be hoping he can add a bit more going forward over the course of the season.
Chris Smalling
It’s been a while coming, but Chris Smalling looks to have finally developed into the player United fans hoped he would be all those years ago.
His improvement under van Gaal deserves praise, with the England international now looking like the club’s established first choice centre back.
Daley Blind
The Dutchman has played in almost every position for United since his arrival from Ajax 12 months ago.
And now van Gaal has placed trust in his fellow countryman to solve their centre back problems alongside Chris Smalling.
Blind has been a composed and calm figure in the heart of United’s defence, and he and Smalling have a faultless record of three clean sheets from three matches so far.
Luke Shaw
Last season saw a slow start to Luke Shaw’s Manchester United career, but he has looked a player reborn during the opening three matches of the season.
His blistering pace is back, and his defending seems to have also improved.
Like Darmian, van Gaal will be hoping the young England international can add some more going forward as the season progresses.
Morgan Schneiderlin
Many feel that the France international will prove to be one of the most important signings of any team over the course of the season.
He has been one of the best holding midfielders in the division during his time at Southampton, and now it is up to him to continue that form on the big stage for Manchester United.
The early signs have been good, with Schneiderlin playing his part in the Red Devils faultless defensive start to the season.
Michael Carrick
Last season proved just how important Michael Carrick still is to Manchester United.
Van Gaal’s side look a different team entirely when the England international is controlling the game from the middle of the park.
United fans hope he can stay as fit as possible over the course of this campaign.
Bastian Schweinsteiger
A few eyebrows were raised when United announced the signing of Bastian Schweinsteiger from Bayern Munich in the summer.
The German international has won all there is to win with Bayern Munich, as well as playing a key role in Germany’s World Cup success in 2014.
Once the 31-year-old has adapted to the pace and power of the Premier League, United fans will see what a special player they have in the heart of their midfield.
Juan Mata
The Spaniard appears to have won over the doubters at Old Trafford, one of which included manager Louis van Gaal.
It is important he is played in a more central position however, perhaps at the tip of a midfield diamond. He has the tendency to get lost in the game when deployed out wide, so van Gaal must use him correctly to get the best out of him this season.
Wayne Rooney
The Manchester United captain has failed to score in his last 10 appearances, and is coming under increasing pressure from the media.
Those inside Old Trafford know that Rooney is still very much United’s main man, and want to see another forward player signed to relieve some of that goalscoring burden.
Rooney seems to work better with a partner, and with seven days of the transfer window remaining all eyes will be on van Gaal’s next move.
Neymar
United fans will be hoping the rumours over the past week have some substance to them.
Brazilian Neymar is one of the best attacking players in world football, having played a key role in Barcelona’s treble success last season.
If United manage to lure him to Old Trafford over the next seven days, it will serve as a major warning sign to the rest of Europe.
