Manchester United Transfer News: Who Should Top Sir Alex's List?

Manchester United have pretty much wrapped up the Premier League title already. Anything can happen in football, particularly in the ever-competitive Premier League, but 12 points looks like too many to pull back for City.

With this in mind, it is time for Sir Alex and his backroom team to cast their eyes upon next season and how they can strengthen their squad for the 2013/14 Premier League campaign.

Looking at Manchester United’s current squad, there are two areas where Sir Alex will be sure to improve—full-backs and in the centre of midfield. With Evra looking like he’s losing his abilities, Rafael looking unconvincing and Carrick being the only reliable centre-midfielder who won’t be retiring in the next year or two, Fergie needs to be considering his options.

United can solve these problems without looking outside the Premier League. In fact, they don’t even need to look outside the northwest of England. Answers to both their problems are playing only a few miles away for Merseyside club Everton.

Leighton Baines has long been touted as England’s second-best left-back, narrowly behind Chelsea star Ashley Cole. The pacy, energetic 28-year-old is known as a solid, hardworking left-back and is more than capable of making the step up to a starting spot at Old Trafford. His crossing and dead-ball ability would provide prolific striker Robin van Persie with invaluable service while his outstanding work rate means United will never be left short of numbers at the back.

With the full-back problem sorted, we now need to look at United’s problem in midfield. Carrick has been playing well, but the severe lack of a midfield enforcer is painfully obvious to the United faithful.

Standing at 6’4”, hulking midfielder Fellaini has been at the heart of the Everton team in this Premier League season. His relentless attitude and power would do wonders to fill the void in the middle of United’s midfield. With unmatched positional awareness and a scorching shot, Fellaini would tighten up Sir Alex’s squad defensively and would add another name to the endless list of attacking threats in United’s arsenal.

Adding these players to their squad would most likely cost the champions-elect around £40 million, but with the potential prize of another Premier League title and possibly even a Champions League win, the purchases would turn out to be great value for money for Manchester United.