Defender
A world-class defender should have been a priority for United last summer, but it was a problem position that was not fully addressed in Van Gaal’s first window in charge.
Combative Argentine Marcos Rojo arrived from Benfica and performed admirably in his first campaign in England. With Phil Jones and Chris Smalling improving alongside him, there is plenty of potential in United’s centre-half ranks, but they are undoubtedly lacking experience and leadership.
Real Madrid’s Sergio Ramos certainly offers that, and there is growing speculation that the World Cup winner tops Van Gaal’s shortlist, and could even be used in a part-exchange deal involving De Gea.
But there is also a theory that the Spaniard is just using United’s interest to get a better contract at Los Blancos, and therefore other options, perhaps more attainable, are also being explored.
Valencia captain Nicolas Otamendi and Borussia Dortmund skipper Mats Hummels remain on United’s radar.
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