How many signings does Van Gaal need for Manchester United?

Article by e-Manchester United's Terry Carroll

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Yet again there is a sense of foreboding hovering among United fans, despite the excitement of Louis Van Gaal's achievements in the World Cup.

This is hardly surprising given the experiences of last summer when many signings were mooted but 'Dithering Dave' and the inexperienced Ed Woodward succeeded in dashing supporters' buoyant hopes for a new era.

With Van Gaal apparently turning down the chances to sign Cesc Fabregas, Toni Kroos and Ezequiel Garay, to name just three, together with the loss of long-time favourite Alexis Sanchez to title rivals Arsenal, fans are once again asking 'when is something happening'?

Van Gaal is the comfort factor

Having seen what Louis has achieved with the Dutch team, especially the 5-1 thrashing of Spain by a team with relatively few household names, fans are understandably licking their lips at the prospect of a United revival, starting next Wednesday.

They will also have drawn up their own lists of 'fancies' that the big man could sign. Hardly a day goes by without stories of the imminent arrival of Arturo Vidal, Angel di Maria, Thomas Vermaelen or Mats Hummels.

Media hype has gone into overdrive because of United's need for massive rebuilding in the post Sir Alex Ferguson era and pending the arrival of arguably one of the best managers in the world. Even people close to United, such as Dwight Yorke and Gary Neville have been quoted as suggesting the need for between six and nine new signings.

Now the latter is an overstatement. Neville was misquoted. He was saying there would not be a revolution at Old Trafford (which would require 'seven, eight or nine players') because Van Gaal would need to look at existing players and what they could do.

And yet nobody is seriously doubting the possibility that a minimum of probably five new faces will line up in the squad before the season starts next month.

Of course two have already been signed in Luke Shaw and Ander Herrera and these are a useful benchmark on Van Gaal's thinking. United needed to replace Patrice Evra in the long term and have desperately needed a 'box to box' creative midfielder since Paul Scholes and Roy Keane.

Equally there is no doubt that another central defender is needed and probably a wide player, with Hummels and Di Maria more than adequately fitting the bill.

The right balance of age and experience are fundamental however. The appointment of Albert Stuivenberg sends a very clear message. Van Gaal was appointed as much for his ability to develop young talent as his unquestioned track record of success.

The loss of Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand, Patrice Evra and the retirement of Ryan Giggs leave a big vacuum of experience in the first team squad. This is why surely Michael Carrick, as well as senior professionals Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney, will be important next season.

So although young stars like Memphis Depay, Danny Blind, Daryl Janmaat and Stefan de Vrij may hold huge appeal, there are two very good reasons why older players may be more likely. Apart from the need to bring the experience of such as Hummels, Vermaelen, Vidal and Di Maria, Van Gaal must leave room for United's young talent to develop.

It is for this reason, for example, that while Javier Hernandez may leave, United are unlikely to sign another striker. Van Gaal often plays a lone striker anyhow but apart from Rooney and Van Persie he has rising stars Danny Welbeck, James Wilson and maybe even Will Keane and Angelo Henriquez to consider.

What United cannot afford is another Paul Pogba situation. If they were to sign two wide players for example, Adnan Januszaj might feel squeezed out and with Real Madrid and Bayern Munich apparently hovering this would not be a smart move.

Which is where Ryan Giggs becomes critical. Together with Warren Joyce and Nicky Butt, he knows the burgeoning young talent United are producing. If you sign another right back, what happens to Saidi Janko, Guillermo Varela and Marnick Vermijl?

In midfield, Andreas Perreira, James Rothwell and Ben Pearson would be more comforted by the arrival of an older player like Vidal than Jordy Clasie for example, who might block their way in future. Sadly, however, Charni Ekangemene has been released.

In central defence if Chris Smalling and Phil Jones are good enough for England then surely Van Gaal does not need two new centre-backs, even if he does move to 3-4-3.

So in summary, United may buy at least four or at most five more players but getting the balance right for the future is critical, especially youth and experience.

For that reason the optimal signings would be: Hummels, Vermaelen (who can cover centre-back or left back), Vidal, Di Maria or Griezman and Enzo Perez (for his attacking versatility).

The other side of the coin is that surely Anderson, Bebe, Nani, Ashley Young, Tom Cleverley, Marouane Fellaini and probably Hernandez will be shipped out if bidders can be found?

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