Manchester United have spent around £70m this summer but manager Louis van Gaal says he has not finished spending yet.
The Dutch coach says that he needs to strengthen in two areas to address the balance he is so keen to see in his squad after another pre-season of comings and goings at Old Trafford.
‘WE are not finished yet, I think,’ he told MUTV. ‘We need a balance in the selection and I think we still need to improve at least two positions and we shall do that when it is possible.’
Van Gaal has been adamant that he will only buy quality and repeated that in his interview with the club’s television station. ‘We shall only buy when the player can give a contribution to our level. And, of course, that is in the eyes of our staff, but I have to have confidence that he can copy with the rhythm of the Premier League,’ he said.
United have been strongly linked with moves for defenders and strikers and it is these two areas where the manager would surely like to strengthen. Sergio Ramos and Nicolas Otamendi have been the names most strongly linked with a move with the latter rumoured to be close to a switch.
Meanwhile, up front, a number of names have been mentioned but not many of them strongly enough to be considered serious links. However, with Robin van Persie and Falcao out of the picture, the club probably need a senior striker to act as back up to club captain Wayne Rooney – whether they can find an available striker with the required ability to do so, and also be prepared to be second choice, remains to be seen. It is plausible that the manager also feels he needs to strengthen in the goalkeeping department considering Victor Valdes is set to leave.
However, there is a suggestion that Anders Lindegaard may be given a new contract to remain as back up.
