Now perhaps it’s ridiculously early to be mulling over potential Manchester United signings for next summer when the 2015/16 summer window hasn’t even shut as yet but our resident Red Devils can’t help letting their minds wander somewhat.
With Cristiano Ronaldo having been linked with countless homecomings to Old Trafford in the press over the last couple of seasons, one man who our resident United fans think could be more of a realistic signing next summer could be a team-mate of Ronaldo’s at Real Madrid in Gareth Bale.
Of course, all will depend on how the Welsh international fares in La Liga and the Champions League this season but with Los Blancos having failed to win any silverware last term while watching old foes Barcelona land the treble in the process, it was Bale who was sometimes unfairly made a scapegoat.
Real Madrid fans are naturally demanding given the fact they’re often deemed the world’s biggest club and by their standards, even one bad performance in the famous white shirt can spell disaster.
When you consider Gareth Bale’s world record breaking £85.3 million transfer fee, when he doesn’t perform, the Real Madrid boo boys simply can’t resist poking a jibe or too in the former Tottenham man’s direction.
If that kind of scenario plays out again this season, perhaps Bale will give up on his Real Madrid dream sooner than he would’ve liked but at this stage, all of this is presumptuous of course.
Nevertheless, being the new big money spending power they’ve become to be under Ed Woodward, we’ve taken this moment to devise a dream Manchester United starting eleven with Gareth Bale metaphorically instilled.
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Click on the image below to reveal the dream Manchester United XI including Gareth Bale.
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David De Gea
David De Gea’s future has taken more U-turns than we care to remember this summer but the latest on his situation is that Real Madrid will reportedly offer the Spanish international a £12 million offer to see out his contract at Old Trafford.
With a few weeks left to go in the transfer market, we think if a move regarding De Gea was going to take place, it would’ve done by now in terms of preparation and what have you so these reports can be read with some believable elements to them.
With Kiko Casilla having been brought in and Keylor Navas receiving the number one shirt, this seemed to suggest De Gea would be staying for one more season and at present, that looks like it’ll be the case.
Sergio Romero has deputised for the psychologically troubled De Gea in United’s first two games of the season but we don’t think it’ll be too long before United fans see their beloved goalkeeper between the sticks again.
Matteo Darmian
If his first two performances in a United shirt are anything to go by, Italian international Matteo Darmian could turn out to be an incredibly shrewd piece of business by Louis van Gaal this summer.
Signed from Torino for a reported £13 million while no other team really went in for his services, Darmian has looked solid in his first two performances, giving little away while providing those in front of him with perfectly timed passes.
Despite nearly giving a penalty away for his obvious neckline grab on Micah Richards away at Aston Villa on Friday night, the early signs are good that Darmian can keep the right back position held down as his own while keeping Antonio Valencia on the bench.
Chris Smalling
Rather strangely for Chris Smalling in his United career, Red Devils fans are absolutely pleased with his input to the team of late.
Having enjoyed a fantastic first game of the season against Tottenham performance-wise, Smalling really looks as if he has the bit between his teeth right now to prove the doubters wrong while putting in some consistent performances this term.
Errors have proved his undoing in his United career to date but it appears Smalling is maturing at the right time and Red Devils fans will have a wry smile on their faces that they kept the faith with the former Fulham man but he has a long way to go this season.
Nicolas Otamendi
Just how hard is this guy proving to acquire this summer?
The name Nicolas Otamendi is now met with rolled eyes and cynical looks given the fact the Valencia man has been linked with both Manchester United and Manchester City all summer, yet looks no closer to securing a move to either.
What’s made it worse for United fans is that after seeing Sergio Ramos take them around the houses, it appears this guy has too with Manchester City looking more likely to nab the Argentine international off their neighbours.
Nevertheless, Sky Sports reported today that Valencia are still after more money from City for his signature with this proving the umpteenth snag in the English clubs’ pursuit.
Luke Shaw
The new season is a big one for Luke Shaw with the England international not having enjoyed the best debut season at Old Trafford while wanting to make an impression to get into Roy Hodgson’s plans for Euro 2016 next summer.
On the early evidence of the first two games of the season, Shaw has been nice and steady and United fans will want him to continue in this vein while continuing to bomb on down the left flank to support attacks, like he did to great effect when breaking through with Southampton.
If Shaw continues to be consistent, there’s no reason why he can’t hold down the left back slot at Old Trafford for the long-term future but if form does become a concern, we’ve seen that Mr versatile himself Daley Blind can fill in here too.
Morgan Schneiderlin
Calm, assured and looking like he’s played as a Manchester United player for longer than his actual two outings so far, Morgan Schneiderlin looks a character who’ll continue to take to his new life at Old Trafford like a duck to water.
Tall, elegant and able to do a little bit of everything in the middle of the park under Louis van Gaal, Schneiderlin’s total worth will ultimately be judged in the crunch top four battles but for the time being, he’s looked right at home against Tottenham and Aston Villa.
Given he’s started both fixtures, expect him to be a mainstay in van Gaal’s starting eleven this season and if he ends up finishing the season in the team, he would’ve done well with Bastian Schweinsteiger, Ander Herrera, Michael Carrick and Marouane Fellaini providing the competition.
Bastian Schweinsteiger
We’ve seen two cameo second-half substitute appearances from Bastian Schweinsteiger in United’s first two Premier League games of the season but when the German World Cup winner achieves full fitness, we expect him to be starting under van Gaal.
With the Dutchman having managed him in his time spent at Bayern Munich, there is a certain level of trust between the pair and in those top four battles and potential Champions League match-ups, Schweinsteiger’s experience will prove vital.
We’ve already seen that when Schweinsteiger has been on the pitch, he’s literally been dictating to his team-mates where to pass the ball next and these kind of leaders are invaluable in a successful team’s dynamic.
Juan Mata
Ever since his two-goal showing away at Liverpool last season, Juan Mata seems to have grown more and more into a proper Manchester United player.
Prior to that day which effectively saw off Liverpool’s top four challenge, Mata seemed a fantastic player that would simply not fit in at Old Trafford for whatever reason but in fairness to the Spaniard, he’s knuckled down and looks set to continue his reputation as one of the best number 10’s in the division alongside Mesut Ozil and David Silva.
Able to turn on a sixpence, Mata can also chip in with a steady stream of goals too and United fans look forward to his contribution this season.
Gareth Bale
The man we were talking about at the outset, who wouldn’t want Gareth Bale in their team after the Welshman was transformed into a world class player in the last couple of seasons.
Having enjoyed an incredible first season at the Bernabeu where he ended up winning the Champions League, Bale suffered the wrath of the Los Blancos boo boys last term when it wasn’t going right for him on the field.
Not the most patient bunch in the world, Bale has remained determined to make it work in the Spanish capital long-term, a stance which he has time and again echoed in interviews but if he suffers the same kind of attention this season, perhaps he may be keen on returning to these shores sooner than first imagined.
With Manchester United linked with his prospective signature more than any other club, we do think he’d be a good fit for the Red Devils and someone that could ultimately carry on fellow Welshman Ryan Giggs’ legacy.
Pedro
When rumours reach Sky Sports, you know something’s in it claim our Manchester United fans in the tavern today.
That’s exactly what’s happened concerning the situation around Barcelona’s Pedro with Guillem Balague having claimed that Manchester United have now agreed personal terms with the Spanish international.
Despite the Red Devils spending fees that us everyday folk can only dream of, you do have to admire the way in which United are going out there and getting deals done for top stars of the game relatively quickly.
Our Arsenal contingent in the bar only wish their club could act with such ruthless efficiency in the market instead of their usual softly softly approach!
Wayne Rooney
Lets not beat around the bush; by his standards, Wayne Rooney has been absolutely shocking in his first two outings as an out-and-out forward against both Tottenham and Aston Villa so far this season.
Against Villa on Friday evening, Rooney arguably endured one of his worst ever performances in a United shirt, misplacing passes and fluffing his lines when it really mattered.
According to returning Match of the Day pundit Ian Wright, he claimed Rooney can no longer play as a number 9 and needs to return to the position behind a central striker where he can dictate the pace of the game and on current evidence, it’s hard to disagree with that stance.
That said, United are experiencing a striking shortfall right now with Javier Hernandez also set to depart and James Wilson not yet ready to step up week in, week out.
Red Devils fans will be hoping that the ‘surprise’ signing Louis van Gaal alluded to a few weeks ago is indeed a new striker with Robin van Persie and Radamel Falcao now having departed.
