Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has left his holiday home in Portugal and returned to his Carrington office. His in-tray should be overflowing. Only one issue at Manchester United has really been resolved. The £25 million (Dh143m) signing of the PSV Eindhoven winger Memphis Depay was tied up in May. The young Dutchman remains United’s only signing this summer. Neither has there been significant departures. Van Gaal and his squad head to North America on a pre-season tour in a week and by then he will hope to have made progress on several fronts.
Decide on De Gea
Both United and their goalkeeper have lingered in limbo for a long time. David de Gea is out of contract in 2016 and has given few indications he will sign the lucrative extension United have offered. Real Madrid are interested but, in typical fashion, hope to do a deal on the cheap. United are adamant they want a world-record fee for a goalkeeper, topping the £32.6m Juventus paid for Gianluigi Buffon 14 years ago, and if they do not receive one, they will hold De Gea to the last year of his contract. It is a stand-off with a question of who – United, Real or De Gea – blinks first. But the instability is surely affecting everyone, including his potential successors, one of whom is the Spaniard’s deputy, Victor Valdes.
Make Real deal for Ramos
United’s dealings with Real are complicated. They also want Sergio Ramos who, like De Gea, is reportedly keen to move. United have offered €40m (Dh163.2m) for the centre-back, which they believe is a fair price for a player at age 29. Real want much more. Since it became apparent Mats Hummels is staying at Borussia Dortmund, Spain’s World Cup winner has emerged as United’s main target as they look for a leader at the heart of their back four. A world-class centre-back has been a prime objective for months. United still do not have one. They may be advised to try to conclude a swap for Ramos and De Gea.
Make a midfield move
Another goal is to bolster the midfield, partly to ease the dependence on Michael Carrick and partly to provide more quality. It is telling that the two men to interest Van Gaal can both operate as a holding midfielder or in a more advanced role. The Dutchman managed Bastian Schweinsteiger during his time at Bayern Munich. Now the Bayern manager, Pep Guardiola, has said it is up to the German to decide where his future lies. Recruiting Morgan Schneiderlin may be simpler. A bid of about £25m may be enough to lure him from Southampton; one of £30m would almost certainly persuade them to sell. United require one, if not both.
Find the right right-back
It almost appeared a formality. Nathaniel Clyne would be United’s next right-back. Antonio Valencia’s long spell as a stand-in would come to an end. Then, in a change of heart, United dropped out of the reckoning for Clyne, which allowed him to join Liverpool. Perhaps they thought they would get Dani Alves, but the Brazilian signed a new contract with Barcelona. It seems to leave Everton’s Seamus Coleman in pole position to fill the vacancy. Again, though, no deal has been concluded.
Sort out the strikers
Radamel Falcao is gone after proving an unmitigated disaster during his loan spell. Robin van Persie is looking likely to sign with Fenerbahce. Javier Hernandez was loaned to Real Madrid last season and seems surplus to requirements. It means Wayne Rooney is the only senior striker guaranteed to be at Old Trafford. Van Gaal could need two attacking additions. One will certainly be required. Harry Kane, Edinson Cavani and Karim Benzema have been mentioned as possible arrivals but none will come cheap. Plans to sell Hernandez or loan out James Wilson may have to be put on hold if they prove hard to get.