Manchester United fans will feel a place in the top four is all but done and dusted, after three straight victories over Tottenham, Liverpool and Aston Villa opened up an eight point gap between themselves and fifth place.
Louis van Gaal can now cast one eye over to next season, a campaign in which he and United supporters will feel their beloved club should get back to challenging for titles once more.
No side has spent more than United in the last two years, with more than £200million splashed on the likes of Juan Mata, Maraoune Fellaini, Luke Shaw, Angel Di Maria and so on.
Yet van Gaal is set to splash the cash once again this summer, and a host of top class players have already been linked with a switch to Old Trafford.
Here we have identified the ‘Transfer XI’ that could be walking out for Manchester United next season.
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Click on Louis van Gaal to reveal the transfer XI Manchester United could have this summer
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Hugo Lloris
United fans will be praying they manage to keep a hold of David De Gea this summer, even if Real Madrid do come calling.
If that doesn’t work out, Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris is said to be the top target to act as a replacement.
The France captain has established himself as one of the best in the country since signing from Lyon in the summer of 2012, and is similar to De Gea in the way in which he play’s that ‘sweeper keeper’ style.
Nathaniel Clyne
The Southampton right back has been one of the outstanding performers in what has been an excellent season for Ronald Koeman’s side.
He will perhaps consider himself first choice for England at present also, and has been mentioned as a possible transfer target for United in the summer.
Rafael has struggled for fitness this term, and natural right winger Antonio Valencia has often been deployed out of position at right back.
Clyne has been an integral part of the best back four in the country, and has also contributed plenty going forward this season.
Mats Hummels
It’s been a season to forget for Mats Hummels and Borussia Dortmund, but that hasn’t stopped Manchester United from registering an interest in the World Cup winner.
It remains a mystery as to why United did not enter the market for a top class centre back last summer, but it looks as though they are going to rectify that mistake early on this time, with some reports going as far to suggest Hummels has already told his teammates in Germany that a move to Old Trafford has already been agreed.
Raphael Varane
The French centre back is considered one of the best young defenders in Europe, yet he is struggling to break into the first team under Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid.
Sergio Ramos and Pepe remain the first choice partnership at the Bernabeu, and that has seen Varane linked with a summer move to the Premier League.
Louis van Gaal looks set to battle Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho for the signature of the highly rated 21-year-old.
Fabio Coentrao
Another highly rated defender who is struggling for first team football at Real Madrid.
Coentrao has been linked with United several times in the past, and now looks set to try and force through a move to Old Trafford, claiming recently in the press it would be considered a ‘dream’.
But with Daley Blind, Marcos Rojo and Luke Shaw all expensive additions from last summer capable of playing left back, it remains to be seen as to whether United actually bother moving for the Portuguese international.
Marco Reus
The German spent all of last summer being linked with a host of top clubs, with Manchester United amongst them.
He has since signed a new contract at Dortmund, despite their struggles this season – but that doesn’t appear to have put United off.
They have shown they are not afraid to spend big in the last couple of years, and are willing to do so again if it means landing one of the most exciting attacking talents in Europe.
Kevin Strootman
The Roma midfielder is a player van Gaal has admired for a long time, having managed him at international level with the Netherlands.
Strootman has been linked with United consistently over the past 18 months, but a serious injury wrecked his hopes of a move to Old Trafford.
Now back to fitness, it seems this summer is the time for United to finally land their man.
Paul Pogba
You can expect this to be one of the transfer sagas of the summer.
Manchester United are preparing to battle the likes of Chelsea and Real Madrid for the French midfielder they inexplicably let leave on a free transfer only a few years ago.
Pogba has since gone on to become one of the world’s best midfielders at Juventus, and United are desperate to get him back and rectify their mistake – seemingly for any cost.
Sami Khedira
Another World Cup winner United are understood to have their eye on, and yet another top talent struggling for regular first team action at Real Madrid.
Sami Khedira has been attempting to engineer a move away from the Bernabeu for the best part of two years, and it seems this summer he may finally get his wish.
His wages have proved a stumbling block in the past, but United’s financial resources and their desire to bring in a top class defensive midfielder means this is a deal we can see being forced over the line.
Memphis Depay
The PSV winger became the Netherlands youngest ever goalscorer at a World Cup last summer under the guidence of Louis van Gaal, and the United boss has maintained an interest ever since.
Young, lightening quick, and able to play on either side, Depay would be a decent addition to a United squad that has often been criticised this season for it’s lack of pace and directness.
He is one of their more affordable targets also, with PSV ready to accept an offer of £15million for his services – something that has also grabbed the attention of Tottenham.
Edinson Cavani
Another long term target United may finally get their hands on this summer.
Cavani was understood to be a target for David Moyes, before he completed his £50million switch to PSG in the summer of 2013.
It hasn’t worked out for the Uruguayan quite how he would have liked in the French capital, with Laurent Blanc often deploying him out on the wing.
With Radamel Falcao unlikely to make his loan switch at Old Trafford permanent, United are on the hunt for another striker, and could give Cavani the chance he craves to prove himself as one of the best central strikers in Europe once more.
