Manchester United Transfer News: Memphis Depay, Ron Vlaar Boost for Red Devils

Manchester United have received a boost in their reported pursuits of Dutch stars Memphis Depay and Ron Vlaar, with both prepared to exit their respective clubs.

PSV Eindhoven boss Phillip Cocu has made peace with Depay's likely departure and believes the player can go on to become a superstar elsewhere. Cocu's comments were reported by Dutch magazine Helden (h/t Alex Harris of the Daily Star):

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Of course Memphis will be sold, you can't stop that but it's okay. It's great you can build up a player like him, who breaks through, succeeds at PSV then leaves the club when he's ready for a bigger step. That's great.

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Cocu admitted that it's "important for him to play around 50 matches in a season before he makes the next step," before saying Depay "can become way better, he's so explosive." Nine goals in 14 appearances this campaign, per WhoScored.com, suggests Depay is well on his way to making that step.

Louis van Gaal will know all about the 20-year-old's qualities after utilising his talents at the 2014 World Cup. He scored the Netherlands' winner against Australia and impressed during a tournament in which he underlined his versatility. Van Gaal used the starlet as both a left-sided forward and, when needed, an attacking full-back to help maintain the Netherlands' solidarity at the back.

This could certainly aid the manager's tactical troubles at United. Van Gaal has deployed three different systems this season, starting with three centre-backs and two full-backs in a transitional line-up that United's players failed to grasp.

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Depay has proven himself tactically astute and would certainly improve Van Gaal's chances of making this formation successful—if he deems it worthy of another shot. OptaJohan highlighted how the rapid player could also supply the likes of Robin van Persie and Radamel Falcao:

A lack of quality centre-backs has hampered United all campaign. And although youngster Paddy McNair has impressed, Phil Jones, Jonny Evans and Chris Smalling have been unable to plug the gap left by Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand. This is where Vlaar could step in.

The Aston Villa defender, who also starred under Van Gaal in Brazil, has his heart set on leaving the Midlands. Arnold Oosterveer, the player's agent, admitted it's now or never for the 29-year-old defender, per James Nursey of the Mirror:

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It is obvious that for Ron, now is the moment to make a nice big move in his career. Ron is very ambitious. The situation is ideal for Ron right now. You can imagine that we are not in a hurry. I don’t want to react to the rumour that he will move to either Arsenal or Man United, but Ron is very ambitious.

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Vlaar will only ever be a short-team solution to United's problems, but he offers the commanding presence that is sorely lacking right now. He is a leader, someone who organises, and he can be counted among the Premier League's most underrated players over the last few years.

United are also linked with Athletic Bilbao's Aymeric Laporte by Barry Glendenning of The Guardian. B/R UK's Ryan Bailey and Sam Tighe discussed exactly what his transfer would mean for the Premier League side:

Improving a currently shaky back line should be Van Gaal's priority right now.

Depay would be a fantastic signing, but he isn't essential to the team's needs this season. Players such as Vlaar and Laporte would instantly galvanise the team's chances of returning to the Champions League by shoring up United at the back.