Manchester United Transfer News: Latest on Louis van Gaal's Future Plans

No wins, not many defenders and a convoluted forward line doesn’t really resemble an ideal beginning for Louis van Gaal at Manchester United. 

Sure, the Dutchman has an embarrassment of attacking riches of his disposal, but that could leave the team a little imbalanced, not to mention the underpinning prospect of some big names losing their spot in the first XI. 

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Indeed, in his column for the Independent, Red Devils legend Paul Scholes feels that although there are still gaping holes in this United squad, Van Gaal has a group that’s capable of breaching the Champions League spots, per Richard Arrowsmith of the Mail Online:

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Falcao creates competition in United's forward line. There is no way that Van Gaal can play Rooney, Van Persie and Falcao together. It will have to be two from three and which two it is hard to say as yet.

Credit has to go to [executive vice-chairman] Ed Woodward, who has left Van Gaal a squad that should be capable of finishing in the top four. I don't think the league title is realistic but Champions League football is the aim. Now it is over to Van Gaal to shape the team.

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With a lopsided squad, much of that shaping could come in the January market, and already United are being linked with some big names that could bolster their squad. By contrast, with a host of players likely to see their playing time cut, some big names have also been touted for pastures new.

Scott Burt of The Telegraph reports Manchester United's current transfer philosophy moving forward:

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There is a phrase that has been used to describe Manchester United’s apparent financial muscle in the world transfer market that has appealed to the club’s hierarchy. When United signed their hugely lucrative new kit deal with Adidas in July it was said to have given them the potential to sign 'a Suarez every year'. ... 

The Adidas deal to supply their kit from next season is worth £750 million—although that would be reduced should the club fail to qualify for the Champions League for two successive seasons. Nevertheless, it represents a significant markup from the Nike deal it replaces. And other deals are in the pipeline.

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Here’s the very latest on some of those players linked with a move to and away from Old Trafford.

Kevin Strootman Wants United Move

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One area United are a little light is in defensive midfield, and AS Roma's Kevin Strootman is a player Van Gaal is familiar with following their work together in the Netherlands national set up. And according to David McDonnell of the Mirror the player is pushing for a January move to Old Trafford.

Strootman is in the final stages of recovery following a long-term injury layoff, but if he returns to the level at which he was playing prior to his hiatus, United would be getting a wonderfully effervescent midfielder.

Here are some of his finest attributes in action:

The former PSV Eindhoven man is industrious, intelligent and intense in his playing style, and being left-footed, he gives a midfield an excellent balance. He’s a creative player too, as illustrated here by WhoScored.com:

In many respects he’d be the perfect foil to Ander Herrera, but throughout his career the abilities of Strootman have accentuated the various qualities of a host midfield partners; he's a player that brings so much to a side. For a reported £25 million fee and fitness permitting, the Dutch playmaker would be a phenomenal addition to Van Gaal’s squad.

Juventus Keen On Juan Mata

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Juan Mata could soon see his first-team opportunities diminish as a by-product of United’s packed forward line, and that could prompt Juventus to move for his signature, according to John Cross of the Mirror.

The Bianconeri will reportedly wait and see how much football the Spanish maestro gets under Van Gaal, but are willing to give him an escape route should things fail to work out at Manchester United.

The Red Devils splashed £37 million to bring Mata to Old Trafford in what was a club-record deal in January. But unfortunately for Mata, the manager who drafted him in has since departed and the new boss has comparable demands of his players to the coach who deemed him not up to scratch at Chelsea, Jose Mourinho.

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Whether Mata can fit into Van Gaal’s setup is a point up for debate, but the player's performances have been excellent as of late. Based on the statistics provided here by Squawka, you’d have to say, it’d be very harsh to drop the 26-year-old:

The Spain international is beginning to reach the peak years of his career and will be desperate for a sustained run in his best position. When he’s played at No. 10 for United he’s been excellent, but whether he has the dynamism or the physicality to nail down a place under Van Gaal represents another intriguing facet in a increasingly fascinating campaign for United.

Red Devils Face Competition For Christoph Kramer

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German international Christoph Kramer is a man in high demand, and with his contract set to expire at the end of the 2014/15 season, expect the race for his signature to hot up in the coming months.

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According to Jamie Anderson of the Express, the 23-year-old defensive midfield is attracting interest from United and Liverpool, but they also face stiff competition from Borussia Monchengladbach, where the player is currently on loan from Bayer Leverkusen.

It’s Kramer’s second year on loan with the Bundesliga side, and his dynamic performances in the Monchengladbach midfield earned him a call up to the German World Cup squad at the end of last season.

From a United perspective, Kramer would be an excellent stylistic fit. He’s a player with seemingly irrepressible stamina and he harbours an impressive defensive instinct for one relatively young. Quick across the ground and capable on the ball too, he looks to have all the requisite requirements needed to flourish as a Premier League midfielder.

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Even if it meant paying a small premium in January to secure the player’s services, United would be making a shrewd move. Although if you consider Van Gaal’s apparent infatuation with Strootman, you suspect any move for Kramer would only materialise if a transfer for the Roma man couldn’t be done.