Manchester United Transfer Rumors: 10 Players They're Pursuing for Summer

Manchester United are currently second in the Premier League table despite having a difficult season balancing their squad due to a multitude of injuries.

Alex Ferguson's decision to bring Paul Scholes out of retirement shows that the Manchester United manager is still carrying concerns over whether anyone in his squad has the ability to replace the aging midfielder on a long term basis.

Tom Cleverley could perhaps fill the role, but an injury early on in the season meant his opportunity to impress was cut short.

Here we'll take a look at some of the players Alex Ferguson could target in the Summer in order to establish themselves as the best in Europe once again.

Whilst replacing Scholes might be a priority, there are other positions that also require attention.

Wesley Sneijder

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It was no secret that Alex Ferguson tried to bring in Wesley Sneijder over the Summer of 2011, but the deal was never finalised after Sneijder's wage demands were considered too high for the Manchester Club. 

Despite their initial setback, United look set to revisit a deal for the Dutch midfielder who could be available for approximately £35 million.

Luka Modric

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Spurs midfielder Luka Modric handed in a transfer request in order to try and force through a move to Chelsea earlier in the season, but the Tottenham hierachy managed to persuade the player to stay.

Modric seems as though he would be open to a move which may prompt Alex Ferguson to try and bring the player to Old Trafford in a move valued at around £50 million.

Xherdan Shaqiri

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20 year old starlet Xherdan Shaqiri is Basel's hottest property and has been linked with Manchester United for a while now.

It seems as though the Swiss international may favour a move to Bayern Munich over the Manchester club if you believe the Metro report.

Shaqiri's brother and agent says he has received no inquiries from Bayern yet, so United may still hold the upper hand.

Shaqiri plays on the wing and has a market value of approximately £11.5 million.

Cristiano Ronaldo

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Cristiano Ronaldo has been the subject of transfer speculation this week after it has emerged that the player may favour a move back to the Premier League.

Both Manchester United and Manchester City are identified as likely destinations should the Portuguese winger make the move.

Ronaldo was a revelation at Manchester United in his first spell at the club and Ferguson would surely welcome a return for the man who cost Real Madrid £80 million.

Shinji Kagawa

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Shinji Kagawa is an attacking midfielder who plays for German Bundesliga outfit Borussia Dortmund.

Kagawa could be seen as a more affordable option than the likes of Modric and Sneijder with the Japanese playmaker valued at approximately £15 million.

Kagawa would also increase Manchester United's holding in the Asian market.

Leandro Damiao

The Daily Mail have declared that Leandro Damiao was subject of a £15 million bid from Tottenham Hotspur in the Summer, but his club Internacional are holding out for £24 million.

Manchester United are now believed to be looking at the 22-year-old Brazilian.

Damiao is a striker by trade, but is also adaptable enough to play attacking midfield or even on the wing if necessary.

Nathaniel Clyne

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20 year old Nathaniel Clyne is perhaps Crystal Palace's hottest property right now alongside Wilfried Zaha.

Clyne is a central defender who was initially rumoured to be moving to Manchester United in January as cover for the injured Phil Jones, but a move never materialised.

It now looks as though he will move on in the Summer, with Newcastle and Manchester United leading the chase for the £5 million rated player.

Andre-Pierre Gignac

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Marseille striker Andre-Pierre Gignac turned down a move to Everton recently after revealing he would prefer a move to a bigger club such as Manchester United.

It is unknown whether United hold the French international in such high regard, but he may now be seen as an easy acquisition over the Summer.

Gignac has a current market value of approximately £6.6 million.

Diacko Fofana

Diacko Fofana (left)

Nice full back Diacko Fofana is currently interesting Manchester United as they look to increase the competition for places in defense.

Rio Ferdinand is in the twilight of his career, whilst Nemanja Vidic has suffered a bad injury that at one point was thought could be career threatening.

Fofana is only 17 years of age and could be captured for approximately £5 million.

Neven Subotic

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Borussia Dortmund defender Neven Subotic could be the man to replace Ferdinand on a long term basis as rumours have surfaced regarding a £16.5 million bid for the 6'4" centre back.

Subotic is only 23 years of age and The Daily Mail reports that Chelsea had a bid turned down for the player in January.

Afterthoughts

Manchester United are still one of the world's biggest clubs and their early exit from Champions League football this season won't deter any potential signings come the Summer.

Alex Ferguson has shown time and time again that he can rebuild his squad and keep them challenging for honours.

Whether he spends £10 million or £50 million doesn't seem to matter as the likes of Smalling and Hernandez compare well to Jones and Berbatov.

United will be having a busy Summer with Giggs, Scholes, Owen and Ferdinand all looking on borrowed time.

There's no doubting the class that these players can still produce, but Ferguson knows that he can't keep relying on them forever and long term replacements need to be brought in as a matter of urgency.

Thanks for reading and click here to read about the best 18 wingers of all time—there are a few United players involved!

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