Manchester United fans in the Football Transfer Tavern are all in agreement that 2014 is a year in which they want to put firmly in the past.
Despite the upturn in form late in the year under Louis van Gaal, United fans witnessed things many had never experienced during their lifetime last year.
A seventh-placed finish, a lack of Champions League football, a managerial sacking and 3-0 home defeats to bitter rivals Liverpool and Manchester City.
But 2013/14 is firmly in the past and things are starting to look up under Dutch tactician Louis van Gaal with the Red Devils cemented in third position and looking odds on for Champions League qualification come May.
Whilst a Premier League title push looks beyond them this season, some new additions in January will surely help United get back to where the supporters feel they belong sooner rather than later and challenging for the biggest honours in the game.
With money seemingly no object to those at Old Trafford, we have identified United’s dream starting eleven, post January transfer deadline day.
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Click on Louis van Gaal to reveal The DREAM starting XI all Man United fans want by February 2nd.
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David De Gea
David De Gea has been by far and away Manchester United’s best player of the past 12 months, so much so that he has attracted reported interest from Real Madrid.
Some reports have suggested the Spanish giants will make a January bid for the goalkeeper who has established himself as one of the Premier League’s finest.
It is crucial United hold onto him this winter if they want to get back to challenging for titles.
Phil Jones, Benedikt Howedes, Mats Hummels
United’s struggles this season have come in defence although there has been a marked improvement since van Gaal’s decision to go back to the 3-5-2 formation.
United may well opt to sign two centre backs this winter with German World Cup winners Mats Hummels and Benedikt Howedes both understood to be transfer targets.
Both Borussia Dortmund and Schalke are thought to be willing to negotiate for the right price whilst their understanding from playing at international level would only benefit Phil Jones – the man United have pinned such high hopes on for the future.
Antonio Valencia / Ashley Young, Kevin Strootman, Ilkay Gundogan, Angel Di Maria, Luke Shaw / Daley Blind
Ashley Young and Antonio Valencia have both perhaps benefited from the 3-5-2 system the most with Young in particular looking like a brand new signing.
Whilst neither has done much to suggest they should be dropped from the first team at present, summer signing Daley Blind is a natural left wing back – having served van Gaal so well in the summer in that position for Holland at the World Cup – whilst the £30 million plus paid for Luke Shaw suggests he will have to return to the first team at some stage.
Both players have done enough to warrant keeping their place at Old Trafford this winter however and represent good options and competition for places in the wing back positions.
It is the middle of the park in which van Gaal hopes to strengthen most. Kevin Strootman is seen as the answer to that holding midfield problem whilst Dortmund playmaker Ilkay Gundogan is a long-term target reportedly available for £24 million.
The German would be seen as an upgrade on Michael Carrick whilst Angel Di Maria would be free to play in the hole behind the front two – a role in which he can produce those match winning moments without any defensive responsibility.
Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie / Radamel Falcao
The strikers’ positions are not an area in which van Gaal needs to address this winter with Manchester United boasting three of the best in world football in their squad.
Wayne Rooney has been playing as an attacking midfielder in recent weeks to accommodate Falcao and van Persie but the England captain is best suited in a front two.
It is then a case of van Gaal choosing one from Falcao and van Persie, although neither has a fitness record that suggests they will both be challenging for a starting place from now until the end of the season.
James Wilson has also featured more than perhaps even he would have expected this season and remains an exciting prospect for the future, and perhaps the one forward capable of offering blistering pace.
