After what can be seen as a partly successful campaign, Louis Van Gaal, managed to take Manchester United back into the Champions League for the 2015/16 season. 
However, United’s season didn’t really kick off until March, when they travelled to Anfield and defeated Liverpool 2-1. Van Gaal’s two stand out stars at that stage were Marouane Fellaini and Juan Mata, both brought in by David Moyes during his disastrous nine month tenure. But, ahead of the new campaign, what do Manchester United need to mount a title challenge? 
Firstly you have to look at who is going to be in goal. Each day it becomes more and more likely that David De Gea will be on his way to Real Madrid, and with just 12 months left on his contract, it doesn’t look like the Spaniard will be staying in Manchester. But, who could replace him? 
The most popular choice among United fans would be Hugo Lloris from Tottenham. Lloris, 28, has the Premier League experience, and wants to return to the Champions League, however the French international would cost at least £30m. But has the quality to replace De Gea. You also have the experienced Victor Valdes sitting on the bench, who played the last two games of the 2014/15 season. He has several honours to his name, and against Hull he certainly showed he still has the class. But, is he what United fans want? 
Moving onto the defence, this is an area where Manchester United were struggling last year with injuries. However, it did enable the breakthrough of Northern Irish man Paddy McNair. Already this summer United have been linked with several defenders, the most recent being Sergio Ramos from Real Madrid. United are rumoured to have demanded Ramos, 29, in a straight swap deal for De Gea. Ramos is a player who United fans would love to see in a red jersey, and is certainly the tough tackling defender United need, who also provides a threat in attack. It is understood that United are in talks with Real over a possible transfer.  
There is also Nicolas Otamendi, a talented Argentinean centre-half, who has been paired alongside Marcos Rojo at the Copa America, and also has a relationship with Angel Di Maria. Otamendi, 27, has had a terrific debut campaign with Valencia, and has already expressed his desire to leave the club this summer. United also need a right back, and  with Nathaniel Clyne joining Liverppool from Southampton, Fabinho from AS Monaco or Gregory Van Der Wiel from PSG look like the most likely options in that department, Antonio Valencia and Rafael just simply haven’t proved themselves in that area. And Gary Neville has been sorely missed.
United’s midfield has really been lacking since the departure of Roy Keane in 2005. United haven’t had a hard hitting man to control the midfield, and have clearly been depending on Michael Carrick to control games. Carrick, 33, is coming towards the end of his career and so far Daley Blind, who had a very consistent debut season hasn’t really been able to fill in for Carrick when he’s been missing. Players like Anderson and Tom Cleverley were never cut out for United, and unfortunately Darren Fletcher’s long absence was a loss for United, and he was unable to get back to ‘United’ standard. 
In April it was reported that United were close to agreeing a £21m deal with Borussia Dortmund for Ilkay Gundogan, however it seems that has fallen through with Gundogan set to sign a 12 month extension on his current contract. On Thursday it was mentioned that United had apparently agreed a deal with Southampton for French international Morgan Schneirderlin for £25m. Schneiderlin, 25, would be a great addition to the United midfield and could be a great replacement for Michael Carrick. 
After losing Columbian Radamel Falcao who had a tormented loan spell during 2014/15 to Chelsea, and Robin van Persie looking as if he is on his way to Serie A, Manchester United may need to bolster their attack. They have already added Dutchman Memphis Depay from PSV Eindhoven and with Wayne Rooney, they have a proven goal scorer, but, is Rooney still capable of doing it on his own? Maybe Adnan Januzaj could be deployed as a striker? With Manchester United being interested in Harry Kane, he could be the right option for Van Gaal, however, there is the potential risk of Kane, 21, becoming a ‘one season wonder’. After a 21 goal season in  the league, Kane surely has the potential and Rooney has already welcomed the prospect of Kane coming to Old Trafford, however it looks likely for the England international to remain at Tottenham.
 

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