Louis van Gaal doesn’t usually give much away, but Manchester United’s eccentric manager has told the press that he wants to bring a new midfielder to Old Trafford this summer.
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Ahead of United’s FA Cup fifth round match at League One side Preston North End on Monday, van Gaal was asked if he was in the hunt for a midfielder in the next transfer window and he replied: “Of course.”
With Wayne Rooney currently playing in midfield as LVG claims “there is no one else” to play there, what is he looking for?
“I am looking for balance and I need balance in midfield,” van Gaal said. “When I play with [Adnan] Januzaj and [Angel] Di Maria in the midfield positions, then you need a certain balance for that kind of creative player. So, when you have these creative players, and also [Radamel] Falcao and [Robin] van Persie are creative players, then you have four creative players and you have to look for balance in your team.”
With United seemingly having a boatload of cash to spend this summer -- thanks to continued financial success, a potential spot back in the Champions League and a new $1.3 billion sponsorship deal with Adidas -- who will they be targeting?
A central midfielder seems to tickle van Gaal’s fancy, and he has long been an admirer of AS Roma’s Kevin Strootman after coaching him for Holland. Morgan Schneiderlin’s name has also been mentioned as a possible $40 million target as the Southampton man continues to impress.
It is clear van Gaal wants another holding midfielder as Darren Fletcher has been let go, Michael Carrick’s injury woe continues, Ander Herrera has failed to find his feet at Old Trafford and Daley Blind is the only player who currently balances the plethora of attackers LVG likes to squeeze into his starting lineup.