Areas that Manchester United need to strengthen this transfer window

Signings of Memphis Depay, Matteo Darmian and the imminent arrival of Bayern Munich star, Bastian Schweinsteiger, mean Manchester United are already a stronger side than they were last season. However, Louis Van Gaal’s project at the club is still very much a work-in-progress. There are rumours that the Dutchman has a similar budget as last season to continue bolstering his squad before the 2015/16 season, with an aim of having Manchester United challenge for domestic and European silverware. There are still a few areas of concern in the team, and the club has been making room for new players, with multiple departures - most notably, Nani and Robin Van Persie's departure to Turkish club, Fenerbahce.Here we look at the positions that Director, Ed Woodward, and manager, Louis Van Gaal, need to strengthen before the end of the transfer window, so Manchester United can challenge for the silverware this season:

#1 Goalkeeper

Hugo Lloris can be a great signing to replace David De Gea

Present Situation:

David de Gea has been Manchester United’s first-choice keeper for the last four seasons, making his way to the club from Atletico Madrid back in the summer transfer window of the 2011/12 season, making 175 appearances overall since.

In the 74 Premier League games where he’s featured in the last two seasons, De Gea has kept 23 clean sheets; standing behind an uncertain backline, and has been responsible for single-handedly winning numerous games for the club.

By far the most famous transfer saga of this transfer window, it looks certain that David de Gea will be replacing Real Madrid legend, Iker Casillas, who has departed for Portuguese side, Porto. If De Gea were to leave the club, United would be posed with a big problem of replacing the world class goalkeeper or risk moving backwards.

Choices at the Club:

Victor Valdes, who was without a club at the start of the 2014/15 season after being released by FC Barcelona, started training with Manchester United, recovering from a knee injury. He was signed on to remain at Old Trafford for 18-months starting January 2015, to challenge de Gea for the goalkeeping position.

Unfortunately, Valdes made only one start for his new club, and spent most of his time on the bench waiting for his chance. There is a lack of support to Valdes’ claim to the goalkeeping spot if and when de Gea were to leave for Real Madrid. It is, however, likely that Valdes stays at the club and challenges de Gea or whoever were to replace him as Manchester United’s #1.

Potential Signings:

One man who could be a replacement for de Gea is Hugo Lloris from Tottenham Hotspur. At 28 years old, Lloris offers a far more, long-term answer to United’s goalkeeping problem than Valdes, who is 33, and his experience in the Premier League means there is no settling in period compared to other candidates like Leno and Handanovic.

The French goalkeeper signed a five-year extension to his contract at Spurs as recently as 2014, but with no Champions League football for his current club, it is likely that Lloris will be itching for a move to a club like Manchester United. The shot-stopper, will not be available for cheap though, as Tottenham Chairman, Daniel Levy, is known to raise the price for any of his players moving away.

#2 Central Defender

Present Situation:

Normalcy has been restored in the Manchester United defence after Van Gaal decided to ditch the three-man back line midway through the season. Even with the traditional back-four, questions have been raised about the quality of the central pairing, with claims that the likes of Jones, Smalling and Evans are nowhere near the standard set by the Ferdinand-Vidic pairing from earlier in the decade growing stronger.

While Smalling and Jones have been improving, they remain inconsistent; the presence of Jonny Evans in the starting line-up doesn’t inspire confidence in the fans. Rumours about Evans’ departure from the club will mean reinforcements are needed irrespective of the fans opinions about the player.

Marcos Rojo, the Argentine, who signed with the club before 2014/15 season, can alternate between the left-back and centre-back positions and should play a key role in United’s defensive line but will need an able partner to play alongside him.

Choices at the Club:

Patrick McNair and Tyler Blackett started for the club this season during an injury crisis, with the former impressing enough to feature regularly and notching up 16 Premier League appearances. Neither of them will be able to hold down a regular place in the side this season, especially since the club are expected to remain competitive not only domestically but also in Europe.

Daley Blind can also play in the centre of defence but it is unlikely that he will be moved from his traditional positions when other options are available. Blind will be performing double duty, challenging Luke Shaw for the left-back role and deputizing for Carrick as the holding midfielder, as and when needed.

Potential Signings:

Manchester United have reportedly told Real Madrid officials that they will need Ramos as part of any deal for goalkeeper, David de Gea. Ramos, at 29, is currently the centrepiece in Real Madrid’s defence.

If this transfer were to happen, Manchester United will have gained a world-class defender; however, it is more likely that the player exchange offer is more of a ploy to increase the price for De Gea’s sale.

Another strongly rumoured defender that would make Manchester United’s defence stronger is Nicolas Otamendi from Valencia. Both players have established themselves in world football and Manchester United fans will be happy to have either of them in United colours this season.

#3 Right Back

Present Situation:

The signing of Matteo Darmian has given Manchester United fans another reason to celebrate. The 25-year old has already established himself in the Italian national side, and his performances for Torino in the Serie A were exceptional.

He is, of course, an unproven commodity in England, and the manager will have to decide if Darmian is ready to be United’s first-choice. His other choices are: Brazilian, Rafael, who was injured for most of the campaign, and is known for his rash tackling and unnecessary fouls; and Valencia, on the other hand, who found himself out of position on numerous occasions and, attackingly smashed crosses into defenders more often than finding a teammate. One or both of these alternatives seem destined to depart the club, leaving the right-back slot light in options.

Choices at the Club:

Phil Jones, Chris Smalling and Patrick McNair have all played at right-back last season but do not offer an attacking outlet or provide pace that is needed at right-back. All three are central defenders and look out-of-position at right-back, especially against stronger and trickier opposition.

Jesse Lingard, the youngster, who starred at right wingback in Manchester United’s pre-season tour, only to injure himself at the start of the season, may find himself move to a Premier League club on loan to further his development.

Another option is Guillermo Varela, who impressed last season, on loan for Real Madrid ‘B’, but it is unlikely that he will be ready for first-team action at Manchester United.

Potential Signings:

With the signing of Darmian, the search for a top-class right-back has ended, but if Rafael were to depart and Valencia was pushed back to his original position as winger, there could be a need for a back-up or young option, especially if the new signing takes time to settle down at Old Trafford.

#4 Central Midfielder

Present Situation:

For many years now, Michael Carrick has been standing strong as the heart of the Manchester United midfield, linking the defence to attack, without praise. In the last couple of seasons, his talents have been recognised and he’s getting the credit he deserves.

At the end of April last season, United had won 72% of games with Carrick and 37% without him. Unfortunately, he’ll be 34 years old before the season begins, and as his injuries have kept him out for a large part of last season, the club needs someone else to take his spot in the centre of the park in the near future.

Choices at the Club:

Ander Herrera, Marouane Fellaini and Daley Blind have all played in the centre of the park during games this season, but neither Herrera nor Fellaini have the defensive discipline and ability to keep things calm at the back, which is a talent that Carrick possesses, and are more suited to attacking positions.

Daley Blind, who was bought by Van Gaal before the start of last season, possibly as the successor to Carrick, hasn’t cemented his position in the starting line-up even in the absence of Carrick so far; also not being able to quickly transition from defence to attack that is key to Carrick’s role.

Potential Signings:

Bastian Schweinsteiger is coming to the club, as confirmed by both parties, and should be the man to take over from Carrick, but with him at the age of 30, it seems to be more a temporary solution than a long-term one.

The more long-term choice is Morgan Schneiderlin from Southampton, who has been the rock in front of his team’s brilliant defensive line last season. At 25 years of age and currently playing in England, he could learn and be groomed to take over from Carrick, playing alongside the new German arrival at Manchester United.

Yet again, it comes down to the price that United will have to pay for the services of Schneiderlin and the tabloids have that at around £27 Million.

#5 Striker

Present Situation:

Wayne Rooney has scored 170 goals in 340 Premier League appearances – a return of 1 goal every 2 games. However, in his last three seasons, the English striker has failed to cross the 20 goal mark, even being deployed as a central midfielder in times of need.

With Robin Van Persie on the way out and Javier Hernandez seemingly not in Van Gaal’s plans, it is likely that Rooney will be played as the main striker in the 2015/16 season, with a new signing lining up alongside him. Whether the 29-year-old can reignite his goalscoring form and provide his team with a 20+ goal return remains to be seen.

Choices at the Club:

James Wilson, 19, featured in 17 games for Manchester United last season and is seen as the man to lead the club’s strike force in the future. This season, the left-footed, clinical finisher for the Under-21s may play a bigger role in the club’s Premier League campaign, but will not be partnering Rooney up-front for a majority of matches.

Instead, he will have to be content with substitute appearances and starting in games against weaker opposition as he continues to progress as a Manchester United and England striker. A loan within the Premier League is possible for Wilson, but it’s likely that Van Gaal will keep the promising youngster as backup to his main strikers.

Potential Signings:

There hasn’t been a shortage of strikers rumoured to join Manchester United this transfer window, but Harry Kane, Edison Cavani and Thomas Muller seem to be the most talked about in the past couple of months.

While the signing of Cavani seems possible, after the disappointing Falcao loan deal last season, Manchester United may stay away from signing another Ligue 1 striker. Harry Kane is an Englishman and Wayne Rooney, the Manchester United captain, has expressed his desire to play alongside his country mate.

The only stumbling block in this deal is the £45 million price tag Tottenham have put on Kane after a successful last season, with 31 goals in 51 appearances in all competitions. Thomas Muller is one of the world’s best supporting strikers and would fit perfectly at Manchester United, but the club will have to make a tremendous offer for him, if he were to be tempted to leave Bayern Munich and his home country of Germany.