Manchester United: Top Five Most Probable Summer Signings

As we head towards the last straight in the title challenge, Manchester United look all but certain to be crowned Champions of England for the 19th time—an honor that will see them finally over-take Liverpool as the most successful English club.

But with four games left, there seems to be so much football left to play, with two tough games against Arsenal at The Emirates followed by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge the following weekend, as well as a Champions League semi-final second leg clash against German opposition Schalke in midweek.

United look strong and willing to take the double (albeit a possible Barca in the Champions League final) unless Jose Mourinho can pull of an unlikely, yet possible, victory to overturn a 2-0 aggregate in the 2nd leg at the Camp Nou.

So many would ask, does United need to splash the cash, or are they good enough for another tough English season?

Well the answer is a simple NO....United might be looking good, excellent away to Schalke, brilliant team effort, and strikers scoring regularly...Nevertheless they seem weaker than before and could fall short next season if they don't bring some new blood into the squad.

So we briefly look at five possible players who could be brought in....taking into consideration those who are leaving.

01: David De Gea

Angel Martinez/Getty Images

MADRID, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 28: David de Gea of Atletico Madrid celebrates during the La Liga match between Atletico Madrid and Valencia at Vicente Calderon Stadium on February 28, 2010 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

• Name:                   David de Gea Quintana
• Current Team:      Atletico Madrid
  
• Age:                      20
  
• Nationality:           Spanish
  
• Est. Value:            £20 Million
• Height:                  1.92 m (6 ft 3 ¹⁄₂ in)

With Edwin van der Sar on his way out (unless Fergie persuades the Dutchman to settle for another season), de Gea seems the most likely of candidates to take a spot as one of the Keepers at Old Trafford.

Whether Sir Alex will give him the No.1 jersey is questionable taking into consideration his inexperience, although some might argue playing 50 games in La Liga is good enough.

The Premier League generally requires more from a player and maybe working him into the league slowly over a season would be a better option.

Nevertheless, he's been called the successor to Iker Cassilas for the Spanish throne, and with Victor Valdez and Pepe Reina waiting in the wings, he's got to be something really special to overtake either one of them.

At £20 Million he could be considered too pricey, but if Ferguson want's to avoid the post-Peter Schmeichel problems, he will have to splash the cash....

02: Raphaël Varane

• Current Team:      Lens
  
• Age:                      18
  
• Nationality:           French
  
• Est. Value:            n/a
• Height:                  1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)

Another youngster who could be on his way to United. The central defender has been capped at U/18 and U/21 level for France and has also played just under 20 games for Lens' first team in the current season.

Ferguson will be mindful of Rio Ferdinand and his recent injury woes, while many would give reason that Chris Smalling is the successor to Rio. Ferguson will need to have insurance should either one of them become a problem.

Varane is still young and could be a perfect pick to play himself into the league over a season or two.

After much speculation of a possible transfer away from Lens, the youngster did ink a deal that keeps him at Lens until 2015, so that could be a thorn in Fergies path, but not necessarily a bad one.

Arsenal also showed interest in the teenager, while United were rumored to make a £3.7Million bid.

Varane is known for his physical attributes—also very powerful and robust—and of course his height has been a major factor.

03: Douglas Costa

EuroFootball/Getty Images

KHARKIV, UKRAINE - SEPTEMBER 25: of Metalist Kharkiv of Shakhtar Donetsk in action during the Russian Premier League match between Metalist Kharkiv and Shakhtar Donetsk at the Metalist Stadium on September 25, 2010 in Kharkiv, Ukraine. (Photo by EuroF

• Current Team:      Shakhtar Donetsk
  
• Age:                      20
  
• Nationality:           Brazilian
  
• Est. Value:            £20 Million
• Height:                  1.72 m (5 ft 7 ¹⁄₂ in)
• Position:                Attacking Midfielder 

Costa has long been a target for Sir Alex—he has been scouted since his time at Gremio. Now playing in Europe gives United a better chance to secure his services.

Last month a report surfaced that Douglas Costa was at Old Trafford with a representative. Many speculators say that an offer is on the horizon as United have been watching him for around four years now.

He is an attacking midfielder with pace and dribbling panache who can be utilised on either wing or up front as a second striker.

Although he's valued at around £20 Million, he still has four years on his contract which could add to his asking fee from Shakhtar. 

If United don't secure his services soon, he could be poached by the likes of Manchester City, who have the cash to blast on any potential "big hit."

04: Diego Forlan

Clive Mason/Getty Images

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 11: Diego Forlan of Manchester United at the end of the FA Barclaycard Premiership match between Manchester United and Middlesbrough at Old Trafford on February 11, 2004 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty

• Current Team:      Atletico Madrid
  
• Age:                      31
  
• Nationality:           Uraguayan
  
• Est. Value:            £9 million
• Height:                 1.79 m (5 ft 10 ¹⁄₂ in)

At 31 years old, he could be past the sell-by date, but with Dimitar Berbatov looking to be heading out, Forlan could be a quick-fix solution to Fergies striking options.

Forlan has been brilliant for both Villarreal and Atletico Madrid, but his time at United will be one that he won't want to be reminded about too much.

Nevertheless, his recent World Cup escapades have made him among the most sought after strikers around.

Taking into consideration his age, he could be a bargain and be used sparingly as United look to head their attack with Wayne Rooney and Javier Hernandez.

05: Wesley Sneijder

Claudio Villa/Getty Images

MILAN, ITALY - APRIL 23: Wesley Sneijder of FC Inter Milan during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale Milano and SS Lazio at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on April 23, 2011 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)

• Current Team:      Inter Milano
  
• Age:                      26
  
• Nationality:           Dutch
  
• Est. Value:            n/a
• Height:                  1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)

The midfield seems the most important position that needs to be buffed up, as Scholes comes to the end to his career. Carrick seems very inconsistent and the promising Anderson seems to be giving very little.

United require a midfielder that will dominate, create play from the center, and move the ball to the wide areas which are United's strengths.

Having Nani, Giggs, Valencia and many other youngsters coming up to run down the flanks, it seems the middle is weak, and Wesley Sneijder could be the perfect man for the job.

The problem of course will be getting him from Inter, who seem to be heading down the "old age" road.

Since his departure from Real Madrid, he's evolved into a better player, tougher and grown in experience. So could he join his compatriot Van der Vaart in England or will he look to continue for Inter Milano.

No doubt he will come with a heavy price tag, and with almost 20 Million to be spent on a goal keeper, which seems the number one priority, could United miss out on a World Class midfielder?