Summer Transfers Who Would Fit Louis Van Gaal's Manchester United Style

Last summer's signings have endured mixed fortunes at Manchester United, with some apparently struggling to earn Louis van Gaal's trust.

Ander Herrera is a fine example, a player who has certainly excelled in the last phase of the season after being reduced to bit-part contributions earlier in the campaign. Angel Di Maria's United career has followed the opposite trajectory, with Van Gaal overlooking the player for much of March and April.

With Memphis Depay's signing already announced, this summer's transfer activity has begun at Old Trafford. Depay is certainly a player who can fit into a Van Gaal 4-3-3, given that he has already done just that. With the Netherlands, Van Gaal would often switch to 4-3-3 when he brought Depay on as a substitute during last summer's World Cup.

With that in mind, let's take a look at a few other players who could work in a Van Gaal system and whom United may pursue this summer.

Paul Pogba

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Former United man Paul Pogba has recently been linked with a move to Manchester City, per Sami Mokbel of the Daily Mail. Mokbel reports that City are prepared to make Pogba "the highest-paid player in the club's history." 

However, on May 8, Jason Burt of the Daily Telegraph tweeted that Pogba was Van Gaal's first choice to come in and play as a central midfielder, presumably in the Michael Carrick role.

If that is indeed the case, then Van Gaal clearly feels the Frenchman would be a good fit for his system. It is easy to see why. A goalscoring midfielder, Pogba has also contributed an average of 1.5 key passes per game for Juventus in the league this season.

His defensive input is important too, with 2.4 tackles per game on average being the standout statistic in that regard. That would fit nicely with the way United's midfield were pressing during their recent good run of form.

His passing is a little loose for a Van Gaal midfielder, but he would certainly be able to adapt to a more possession-focused approach, and it seems likely that if he did, his 83.1 per cent pass-completion average would improve. 

Pogba is now proven at a very high level. Although United are reportedly not front-runners for his signature, he could certainly fit Van Gaal's style.

Mats Hummels

In the book The Coaching Philosophies of Louis van Gaal and the Ajax Coaches by Henny Kormelink and Tjeu Seeverens (h/t the Guardian), Van Gaal says:

"

In modern football the two centre-backs have really become the playmakers. The No. 10, behind the strikers, can’t be called a playmaker any more because the space in which he operates is too restricted. Today’s playmakers are to be found in the middle of the back four.

You can no longer deploy the old-fashioned, solid type of defender in these positions, you have to use technically and tactically gifted players.

"

Described by ESPN FC's Rafael Honigstein as "the most elegant, skilful centre-back that German football has produced in a very long time," Mats Hummels would seem a perfect fit. 

More was written about why United should pursue the Borussia Dortmund defender here, but in essence, the above quote conveys just why Hummels and Van Gaal seem such a good match.

Hummels could be just the playmaker in the heart of defence Van Gaal is looking for.

Ilkay Gundogan

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Ilkay Gundogan is another Dortmund player who has been linked with United, with the Sunday Times reporting that a deal is in place—along with a deal for right-back Nathaniel Clyne.

Gundogan's injury history is something of a concern, but his suitability for a Van Gaal midfield is unquestionable. He seems to be a natural fit as a replacement for the aging Carrick. For Dortmund, everything goes through Gundogan, as evidenced by his average number of passes per game being the highest in the squad.

His pass-completion average is a little lower than Carrick's, but his passing is much more likely to lead to a chance being created—with 1.4 key passes per game to Carrick's 0.4. 

Gundogan could play at the base of United's midfield, but he would be equally comfortable further forward as one of the attacking midfielders. He would be a superb fit for Van Gaal's United.

Gareth Bale

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On Sunday, Jamie Anderson of the Daily Star quoted Gareth Bale's agent, Jonathan Barnett, as saying that Bale is unhappy with how things are currently going at Real Madrid. 

Unfortunately for United, Barnett also said "he is desperate to get out there again," with Anderson writing that Bale is "not willing to give up on his dream of becoming a Bernabeu legend."

Bale is described in that article as a United "target." If there is any way United's hierarchy can bring Bale to United, then they should do so. Bale's ability to torment Premier League defences is established. 

He would be a superb fit for Van Gaal's system, playing off either flank in a 4-3-3. His destructive ability would be incredibly valuable to United when they are facing teams that sit deep in order to defend against their attacks. He would also add pace to United's counter-attacking play, which could be especially valuable in the Champions League.

Bale seeimingly still belongs under the heading of "dream signing" rather than "likely signing," given his agent's quotes about his desire to stay at Madrid. However, as Jim White wrote in the Daily Telegraph on May 1, Bale to Van Gaal's United would indeed be "a move made in heaven."

All advanced statistics per WhoScored.com.