The summer transfer window seemingly never ceases to provide fans of the English game with their fair share of excitement and sensation with every passing season.
Regardless of the criticism it constantly receives among Premier League fans and managers alike, football simply wouldn’t feel the same without all the last minute bargaining and desperate deadline-day dealing.
However, in the case of Manchester United in particular, the culmination of the summer transfer window ultimately offers Louis van Gaal one last chance to perfect his squad ahead of what’s going to be an incredibly important season at Old Trafford.
Despite the multitude of high profile names that have already made the switch to his club this summer, van Gaal has so far mainly focussed his respective transfer activity on sourcing quality midfielders, rather than improving United’s somewhat fragile looking back-line and isolated strike-force.
So then, with just a few weeks left to go before the summer transfer window eventually slams shut, here are five potential last minute transfers Manchester United should make this deadline-day…
Antoinne Griezmann
Since Chelsea only recently ‘stole’ Barcelona’s Pedro from the grasps on Manchester United, perhaps it’s time the Red Devils ‘stole’ their very own former Blues target, this time in the form of Antoinne Griezmann.
The talented French international scored an impressive total of 22 league goals in last season’s La Liga proceedings, beaten only by the untouchable likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. He would therefore represent a promising target for Manchester United this summer, even if Atletico Madrid happen to place a pretty lofty price-tag on the winger’s head.
Despite Griezmann’s obvious credentials in the modern era however, his is a position that is already somewhat filled at Old Trafford at this point in time. A move for either a recognised centre-forward or a solid centre-back would seem to make more sense from Louis van Gaal’s point of view in the cold light of day.
Thomas Muller
Whilst his name has never been far from a newspaper story linking him with an illustrious move to Old Trafford this summer, Thomas Muller seemingly has everything in his make-up to become a resounding success at Manchester United should Louis van Gaal decide to move for him on deadline-day.
The recent World Cup winner simply brings goals in abundance wherever he plies his trade. This is an area that the Red Devils dramatically need to improve upon if they are to succeed in the Premier League anytime soon, so the prospect of signing a player like Muller makes sense with all things considered.
Like his former German international teammate Miroslav Klose, the current Bayern Munich favourite is an expert in scoring goals in and around the penalty box. He will finish off chances very few even saw coming if he is given the opportunity at Old Trafford this season, making him an ideal candidate to replace Robin van Persie in the striking department for Louis van Gaal throughout 2015/16.
John Stones
One of the perhaps less convincing names to make an appearance on this list arrives in the form of Everton’s latest defensive sensation, John Stones. The previously capped England international seems to be in the good books of pundits and fans alike this season, even if the 21-year-old still remains relatively untested in the English top-flight for a sustained period of time.
Manchester United arguably need a reliable defensive head to help sort out their back-line this season, yet whilst Stones has no way proved himself to be worthy of such a position so far in the Premier League, Louis van Gaal may ultimately be left with no other choice but to make a move for the current Goodison Park favourite this summer.
The seeming unavailability of the club’s previous defensive targets – such as Nicolas Otamendi, Mats Hummels and of course, Sergio Ramos – may force the Red Devils to turn their attention to John Stones this window, despite his clearly inexperienced nature in playing at the highest level. Manchester United must be able to count on their centre-backs to perform well in the Champions League this season however, which may prove beyond a player of John Stones’ capabilities.
Aleksandr Kokorin
Another potentially surprising name to be linked with a high profile move to Old Trafford this summer is the up and coming poster-boy of Russian football, Aleksandr Kokorin.
The 24-year-old Dynamo Moscow striker could potentially take the Premier League by storm this season as his previous goal-scoring form suggests, yet his possible arrival at Manchester United this summer would nevertheless represent a huge risk for the club. He remains truly untested at the highest level, without the strongest reputation amongst the European footballing scene.
However, considering the front-man’s relatively young age in the modern game, Kokorin could ultimately prove a gamble that pays off massively for Louis van Gaal. He will be hungry for goals in the Premier League – and that is exactly what the Red Devils require at this stage in the proceedings.
Keylor Navas
Whilst no Manchester United fan out there ultimately wants to see David de Gea leave their club for Real Madrid this summer, sometimes it’s simply pointless trying to halt the inevitable. Should the much anticipated switch between the two giants of the modern game take place before the close of the transfer window, the subsequent arrival of Keylor Navas could prove the perfect sweetener to improve the deal from the Red Devils’ perspective.
The Costa Rican goal-keeper certainly had a World Cup to be proud of last summer – and although he doesn’t quite represent the ideal signing for Manchester United by any means – the 28-year-old shot-stopper could nevertheless add some much needed experience to the squad at Old Trafford throughout 2015/16.
His potential arrival wouldn’t likely displace Sergio Romero from the no. 1 spot at United across the upcoming campaign, yet his possible addition still offers up a fair amount of potential even if most Red Devils fans would rather be counting on David de Gea this term.