20 Rumoured Manchester United Transfer Targets

Manchester United are Premier League champions.

It's been nearly a year since fans of the Red Devils were able to boast as much, why not make the most of it now?

The club has shown a marked improvement this season in all three major competitions, and yet must not rest on its laurels.

There are several weaknesses in the current United squad's makeup, all of which arguably lie in midfield.

The general consensus seems to be that Sir Alex Ferguson must splash out on a central midfielder and an attacking wide player.

This article will seek to wrap up the 20 biggest rumours that have circulated in the British media and beyond regarding transfer targets.

It will be fascinating to see how many, if any, of these players United actually buys this summer.

Leighton Baines

We kick things off with a transfer rumour that has carried over from last summer.

Leighton Baines, England and Everton left-back, has been tipped by many to be a potential successor to Patrice Evra at Old Trafford.

According to a report from the Daily Mail in December, "Sir Alex Ferguson has made a replacement for first-choice left back Patrice Evra a top priority," with Baines his preferred option.

It may be a little too soon to write off Evra though, who has had an improved season marauding up and down the left flank for the Red Devils.

Angel Di Maria

Real Madrid winger Angel Di Maria has had a turbulent season at the Bernabeu.

The tricky Argentina international had a high-profile falling out with boss Jose Mourinho, who reportedly told Di Maria "You aren't playing at all. You played better when you were earning less money" (via Marca).

A report in The Mirror claimed in February that he had been offered to Manchester United for a potential transfer this summer.

It is believed that Di Maria's agent, Jorge Mendes, could be key to negotiating a deal, having worked with the Red Devils in the past.

Victor Wanyama

Celtic's thrilling run to the Champions League Round of 16 could not have been achieved without midfield powerhouse Victor Wanyama.

The Kenyan was particularly impressive in the Scottish club's unlikely 2-1 group stage win over Barcelona at Parkhead.

As a result, the player has supposedly caught the attention of Sir Alex Ferguson, who has scouted the player personally.

According to Sky Sports, United weighed up the possibility of making a bid for him in January, but ultimately decided to put off any deal.

Asmir Begovic

The Red Devils' No.1 keeper, David de Gea, has been in sparkling form this season, defying those who wrote him off after a tricky debut season.

But that hasn't prevented a multitude of rumours linking Manchester United with making a move for Stoke City shot-stopper Asmir Begovic.

Earlier this month, the Daily Mail reported that "United continue to monitor Stoke goalkeeper Asmir Begovic after scouts watched him play for Bosnia against Greece on Friday."

For all of Begovic's quality, this is one transfer nobody in Manchester really desires.

Christian Eriksen

Danish attacking midfielder Christian Eriksen has long been hyped as one of the premier young talents in the game today.

The 21-year-old set career high figures this term—bagging nine goals and 14 assists for an Ajax side seemingly destined to win the Eredivisie title.

Last summer, The Mirror reported that "Eriksen has previously identified United and Barcelona as two clubs he would be interested in joining" (h/t Daily Mail).

However, the player recently revealed in an interview with Danish paper Algemeen Dagblad, that a move to Manchester City is also possible (h/t The Express).

Alen Halilovic

Dinamo Zagreb's pint-sized magician Alen Halilovic has been earmarked as a young player truly worth keeping an eye on.

The attacking midfielder is still only 16 years old, but has already made 18 total appearances for the Croatian club, scoring twice.

In December last year, the Daily Mail reported that "Manchester United chief executive David Gill flew to Croatia for talks about signing Dinamo’s £15 million-rated teenage sensation."

Such a sum may seem like a lot to spend on a kid, but this boy has the makings of a future star.

Kevin Strootman

Kevin Strootman seems to be a consensus favourite in the potential signings department among Manchester United fans.

The Dutch midfielder has all the attributes needed to thrive in Britain's top league—he is physical and defensive-minded, but also a tremendous technical player and productive attacking threat.

If bought, it is thought he would automatically slot in alongside Michael Carrick in the Red Devils' central midfield.

The Express believe "A fee of £17 million could be enough for PSV to part company with one of their prized assets."

Tom Ince

Tom Ince has had a terrific season playing in the Championship for Blackpool.

The English winger has scored a stunning 18 goals in the league, and claimed the young player of the year award as a result.

The 21-year-old's father is former Manchester United midfielder Paul Ince—who left Old Trafford in rather unsavoury circumstances having fallen out with Sir Alex.

Ironically, the Red Devils are reportedly one of a number of clubs chasing Tom's signature (via The Sun).

Robert Lewandowski

In Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie, Javier Hernandez and Danny Welbeck, Manchester United may just have the best group of forwards in world football.

That hasn't stopped the club being linked with another elite goalscorer, namely Borussia Dortmund's Robert Lewandowski.

The Poland international has scored 61 goals in all competitions during the past two seasons, looking highly impressive doing so.

On Monday, The Telegraph reported that "Lewandowski has told associates he prefers a move to the Premier League, with United his favoured option ahead of Arsenal and Chelsea."

Isco

Few players in Europe have had a bigger breakout season than Malaga's Isco.

The Spanish attacking midfielder has been a creative dynamo for his club, displaying poise and skill that belies his young age.

The Daily Star reported in February that "Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is thought to have targeted the Spanish international as an ideal replacement for veteran Paul Scholes."

The price quoted for the 21-year-old Spain international is in excess of £30 million.

Cristiano Ronaldo

It has been almost four years since Cristiano Ronaldo left Old Trafford for Spain, and fans of the Red Devils are only just beginning to get over it.

The Portuguese superstar has gone from strength to strength at Real Madrid, scoring an incredible 143 La Liga goals in 132 appearances.

But some believe that his time at Madrid may be dwindling, and a sensational return to the club that made him on the cards.

The Sun recently claimed "The Portuguese winger is rumoured to be looking for a way out of the Bernabeu, and with United unsure if they could afford his return, Old Trafford chiefs discussed a possible deal with Nike" (h/t The Mirror).

Marco Verratti

Paris Saint-Germain are looking a pretty safe bet to claim Ligue 1 glory this term.

The French side have proven that money can buy you happiness...or a trophy full of silverware at the very least.

Ironic then that a player they signed for less than £10 million—Marco Verratti—be one of their breakout stars of the season.

Manchester United are reportedly hot on the Italian playmaker's trail, but may be deterred by PSG's staggering £34 million asking price (via The Express).

Ezequiel Garay

Ezequiel Garay is an exceptionally talented centre-back.

The Argentina international has been a rock in Benfica's defence this season, helping the Portuguese club concede only 15 goals in 26 Primeira Liga games.

In March, the Daily Mail reported that "Sir Alex Ferguson is trying to push through a £15 million deal" for Garay before the summer.

Despite his obvious abilities, it is worth asking, don't the Red Devils already have more than enough options in central defence?

James Rodriguez

Staying in Portugal, Manchester United have been heavily linked with another of the league's brightest stars in recent months.

James Rodriguez has impressed many with his performances for Porto this term, showing the kind of rapid development that is always going to make a player's stock skyrocket.

The wide forward has scored nine goals in 18 Primeira Liga appearances, as well as a wonder-goal to down PSG in the Champions League group stages.

According to the Daily Mail, Rodriguez is "at the top of Manchester United's wanted list."

Luka Modric

Like Angel Di Maria, Luka Modric has occasionally found himself on the periphery at Real Madrid this season.

The supremely gifted playmaker's move to Spain was supposed to be a step forward in his career, but he has struggled to hold down a regular place in Jose Mourinho's first team.

The Croatian did find time to score a crucial goal against Manchester United in their Champions League Round of 16 clash, though.

Hardly surprising then that the Red Devils should be linked with a move to acquire his services not long after (via The Mirror).

Arturo Vidal

In an ideal world, Arturo Vidal would move to Manchester and slot into the box-to-box role alongside Michael Carrick.

But as things currently stand, Juventus aren't likely to sell one of their most important players—one who has been in Turin for less than two years.

The Mirror had reported earlier in the season that "United are understood to be impressed by the dynamic midfielder as they continue to search for a central player in the Roy Keane mould."

Rumours linking the Chilean with the Red Devils have since cooled, to fans of the club's annoyance.

Angelo Ogbonna

Young defenders don't come more promising than Torino's Angelo Ogbonna.

The 24-year-old has been tipped for a move to a top European club for years now, but circumstances have prevented a transfer from taking place.

The Italian international has inevitably been linked with Manchester United—is there any world football prodigy that hasn't?

A little over a week ago, Ogbonna told Sky Sports Italia that he is flattered by the Red Devils' interest in him (via The Metro).

Juan Fernando Quintero

The second Colombian on the list (but not the last), Juan Fernando Quintero is a 20-year-old central midfielder with exceptional technique.

Quintero currently plies his trade at Pescara, but with the Italian side looking like genuine relegation candidates, his team may be forced into a cut-price sale.

In February, a report on Sky Sports stated that "It is likely that he will head away from Italy in the summer, with Quintero's representative revealing that all options remain open."

Four weeks earlier, he had revealed to Gazzetta Dello Sport that to play for the Red Devils would be a "dream" (h/t Goal.com).

Eliaquim Mangala

French central defender Eliaquim Mangala has caught the eye of several scouts with his buccaneering displays at the back for Porto this season.

The France U21 international is a physical, yet technically capable player with his best years still ahead.

Following rumours that Sir Alex and co. were tracking his progress closely, Mangala told Sky Sports "I am definitely flattered by the interest of such a big club like Manchester United, any player would be" (h/t Goal.com).

But again, is buying another centre-back truly answering the club's needs?

Radamel Falcao

Radamel Falcao has been one of the most clinical strikers in the game for the past few seasons.

The Colombian hitman has scored goals at a terrific rate—67 in 85 appearances for Atletico Madrid since moving from Porto in 2011.

Earlier this month, Spanish publication Marca made the bold claim that "the Old Trafford club is the best placed to sign the Colombian forward."

For all his talent and transcendent ability though, attack is the area of the pitch United have the least need to reinforce in.

Out of these 20 players, who would you like Manchester United to sign? Were there any omissions?

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