How would Man United’s current crop fare against the Red Devils of old?

Louis Van Gaal’s additions to his Manchester United squad last summer included one of the world’s biggest stars, an incredibly talented teenager, and a Dutch midfielder who shone at the World Cup.

But, would the team that Louis Van Gaal is fielding week in, week out make the cut under former manager Sir Alex Ferguson?

Sir Alex has worked with some of the world’s best footballers – but he has also worked with some average ones, too. If Fergie could get his hands on Manchester United’s current squad, I’m sure some would not make the cut for him; but he would also be impressed with quite a few.

There is no question about whether David De Gea would get make it in Alex Ferguson’s squad – he’s the man who brought him to Manchester of course. Following in Edwin Van Der Sar’s footsteps was no easy task, but after some early struggles, he is now regarded as United’s most valuable player – his improvement over the last two years has been outstanding.

Defensively, Alex Ferguson had some class players in his squad, such as Patrice Evra, Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand, all of which have since moved on. The current defence at Manchester United would not be able to compete with these players – Chris Smalling and Phil Jones for example, part of Fergie’s squad, just would not be strong enough. Paddy McNair would’ve had a chance (as a substitute, most likely) under Sir Alex, who was always aware of the importance of youth players in his side.

United’s current midfield is pretty formidable, but not exempt from making mistakes. Marouane Fellaini would have a hard time making it in a side under Sir Alex. Although he has improved massively over the last nine months, Juan Mata would be the choice under Fergie; mainly for the creativity aspect, and the goal scoring ability. Something that is interesting to consider, is how Angel Di Maria and Sir Alex would have fared working together – very well, I’m guessing. Daley Blind could make it into a starting line-up with Sir Alex Ferguson as a manager because his work rate is key to the squad.

One player who would not have been dropped back to midfield under Fergie is Wayne Rooney. Rooney is an all round player, but he is a striker. Sir Alex recognised this as his best position, and that was where he was played.

And of course, Robin Van Persie is sure to make it into both starting elevens. Van Persie had an outstanding first season for Manchester United under Sir Alex, and had said he was gutted when his boss announced his retirement.

If Sir Alex was still at Manchester United, would Danny Welbeck still be at the club? I think so, Ferguson rated him and put faith in him. Welbeck’s almost full season under Moyes, though, was the writing on the wall for his career in Manchester.

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One thing the current Manchester United squad could use, that Sir Alex was fond of, is the hairdryer treatment at half-time!

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A blessing in disguise for Tottenham?

The proverb has it that every cloud has a silver lining, but if you’re a Tottenham Hotspur fan, bar a spot in the next quarter finals of the Europa League you can’t imagine there was an awful lot of positives to take out of last night’s 4-1 mauling at the hands of Inter Milan.

Indeed, the train wreck that was Spurs’ hammering at the hands of Andrea Stramaccioni’s side was a chastising experience for all involved, with not a single Spurs player  – or their manager, for that matter – coming out blemish-free from the San Siro.

Yet within the grander context of Spurs’ season, last night’s defeat marked only the third time this season that Andre Villas-Boas’ side have lost more than once on the spin, following their 3-2 loss at the hands of Liverpool last Sunday. And as we head in towards the final push of the 2012-13 campaign, that might be more of a blessing, rather than a curse.

Because in recent weeks, for a team that have traditionally been plagued inconsistency, Spurs have begun to develop an incredibly uncharacteristic steel to their performances.

It’s not very often supporters have been able to lay claim to an unbeaten run that’s stretched into double figures within the league, but when Tottenham fans claim to have not been able to remember a time when the side last showed such remarkable resilience, they weren’t joking by any means – defeat at Anfield on Sunday saw the end of a 12 game unbeaten streak; a club record within the Premier League era.

Now while it might seem naïve to suggest that supporters were getting carried away with recent events on the white side of North London, for all the new found confidence and resilience that might have been forged out of this recent run, a lot can be said for looking to keep one’s feet on the ground.

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It may sound strange, but for as vitally important as that 12 game unbeaten run has been to the club, it’s the recent couple of losses that could prove to be just as important in propelling them towards achieving success both at home and abroad.

Following the 2-1 victory over Arsenal in the recent North London derby, it’s difficult to remember a time when confidence had risen quite so high within the Spurs camp. A fitting reminder would perhaps lie within the 10 point gap they amassed – only to blow it come the end of the season – over the Gunners last term. But if patience is short within the beautiful game then memories are even shorter and the side’s recent success under Villas-Boas has done an awful lot exorcise the demons that resided after last season’s self-destruction.

Although even if last season’s scorching experiences have felt somewhat distant to supporters, then the last seven days should serve as a genteel reminder that the job is far from finished this season.

Contrary to popular belief, Tottenham aren’t Champions League qualifiers-elect within the Premier League and to a slightly lesser extent, their name most definitely isn’t on the Europa League trophy, either.

The sight of Arsene Wenger’s men trudging off at White Hart Lane looking like beaten men catalyzed a cascade of headlines crowning Spurs as the new top dogs in the north of the capital and further still, perhaps even the kings of London all together come the end of the season.

Seven days later however, and should both Chelsea and Arsenal win their games in hand, then they can end up placing one point ahead and four points behind Spurs respectively. With only nine games to play in the Premier League, there’s still the capacity for plenty more fluctuation and everyone from those on the pitch to those sitting in the stands would do well to remember that.

And within the nature of both the defeats to Liverpool and Internazionale, Spurs were handed a fitting reminder that there is simply no room for complacency or sloppy error – both within the playing staff and the management.

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The feeling after the defeat at Liverpool was that the pain of the defeat was eased as a result of their downfall being mainly induced by a couple of one-off individual errors, as opposed to being systematically outplayed. But regardless of a seven-point gap or not, there is never any breathing space in this league and the 3-2 loss served as a chastising reminder of that. Before kick-off, they were shoo-ins for the top four. 90 minutes later and they’re back to where they started before they kicked off against Arsenal.

Within the Inter defeat, too,  for as much maturity and adaptability that Andre Villas-Boas has shown this season, to turn up the San Siro and set the side up the way he did – regardless of the aggregate score – was incredibly naïve. The four goals that i Neazurri put past Brad Friedel were a brutal reminder of how quickly fortunes can fade and with Spurs having conceded seven goals in two games, the onus will now be on the Portuguese to shore up a rearguard that’s not without its faults.

But far from feeling overly dejected after the last two games, the fact remains that despite the nature of the defeats, Tottenham still remain well on course to achieve both a top four finish and a run to the final stages of the Europa League.

The last week might not be one fondly remembered for its results, but should it give Spurs the shot in the arm they require to try and get back on the horse and rack up another unbeaten one, it could prove to be one of the most poignant of the entire campaign.

All the pieces are there for another shock Liverpool defeat at Crystal Palace

There’s still a lot of football left to be played.

The Premier League title may be done and dusted, but for Liverpool it feels all about the Champions League now – a competition with which they have a mythical relationship. And yet, they certainly cannot forget about the league.

It would be a mistake to think that the top four race is over. Manchester United, perhaps are all but guaranteed a top four spot, but the other three teams in the race for the final two places can’t relax. If Tottenham beat Chelsea on Sunday, that race will likely be over. If the result goes the other way, the battle will continue.

That’s why Liverpool can’t just focus on dumping Manchester City out of the Champions League over the next two weeks: they have to think about their participation in that competition next season, too.

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Next weekend sees the Reds travel to Goodison Park to face Everton in the Merseyside derby in between the two legs of their European quarter final, and this week they travel to Selhurst Park, the scene of arguably Liverpool’s most famous – and most overstated – capitulation.

“Crystanbul” was a collapse by a Liverpool side aiming to win the title, but it’s not where they lost the title. The title was lost days earlier when the Reds lost to Chelsea – throwing away a three goal lead against Palace didn’t cost them the title because a win wasn’t enough: they needed a margin of victory in the double figures to claw back Manchester City’s goal difference lead.

What it did do, however, was give Palace their own myth. It gave them the belief that they could beat Liverpool – something they’ve kept with them: they’re now something of a bogey team.

The Reds have lost four of their last seven Premier League games against the Palace, and this season’s 1-0 victory at Anfield came at the expense of an Eagles side managed by Frank de Boer and in the middle of the worst to a season in Premier League history. Since then, though, we’ve seen how much of a struggle Palace away has been for the top six teams – Arsenal and Manchester United scraped 3-2 wins, whilst Manchester City could only manage a draw thanks to a last-minute penalty save.

The week after an international break is often a strange one. Players come back from the break in a different mindset, they’ve played with different players, and it takes a while to get their head back into the club game again. With one eye understandably fixed on Wednesday night’s Champions League quarter final first leg, Liverpool could be there for the taking by a Palace side who have only one thing to worry about, and that’s getting points to stay in the division.

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There’s still a lot of football to be played in this Premier League season. The battle for the top four isn’t over, and the fight against relegation will likely rumble on into the final weeks. This weekend, both battles at opposite ends of the table will collide. But just after an international break, with one eye on a massive Champions League tie, and travelling to a team which believes it’s Jurgen Klopp’s bogey team, will Liverpool slip up?

Forget Walcott, here are five ‘outcast stars’ Liverpool need

With Raheem Sterling seemingly holding out for the sort of pocket money we could have only dreamed of as a youngster, Liverpool appear to have diverted their attention towards Arsenal’s Theo Walcott.

The Gunners ace is very much seen as a ‘plan B’ man at Anfield, with keeping their 20-year-old starlet the aim, but with his future at the Emirates Stadium unclear, he’s an intriguing option.

Walcott has long campaigned for a central role under Arsene Wenger and despite his obvious skills and pace, the England international has struggled to hold down a regular spot while never been truly becoming an essential player in north London… and the got us thinking, which other ‘unappreciated players’ could Brendan Rodgers save?

He gave Daniel Sturridge and Philippe Coutinho fresh chances and that worked, so here are FIVE potential ‘garbage to gold’ additions…

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James Milner

As the weeks go by, James Milner looks more and more likely to leave Manchester City on a free transfer this summer.

The England international’s current contract expires in just a few months’ time, and with his playing time having been minimal in terms of minutes and varied in terms of position, the 29-year-old is thought to have his eye on one last big move to play regularly in his favoured role – central midfield.

Liverpool are firmly in the hunt for the one-time Leeds prodigy, and it’s easy to see why. Although unfashionable, Milner offers a great level of work ethic, desire, commitment and know-how, while being a superbly adept technical footballer.

Although he’s now after a settled role, he can also fill in on either flank, play anywhere in midfield, function as a ‘false nine’ or even play as a right-sided wing-back or full-back.

Marc-Andre ter Stegen

Although Simon Mignolet has revived to the point that he’s now one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League on current form, it’s not yet clear as to whether or not Liverpool will seek to replace him this summer. At the height of the Belgian’s slump – December to January – the Reds were linked with a host of names, with Ter Stegen firmly in the mix.

The German signed for Barcelona last summer from Monchengladbach with a reputation as one of the best emerging glovesmen in Europe, but he’s yet to make a single appearance in La Liga, with his only game time having come in Champions League and domestic cup action. The 22-year-old is certainly worth more game time than he’s currently getting and could well be a long-term upgrade on Mignolet, despite his recent improvements.

Stevan Jovetic

The 25-year-old was an exciting addition for City almost two years ago, but his game time has been… erm… minimal. Able to play in almost any attacking role, Jovetic should have established himself in the sky blue shirt, but injuries have played their part in his struggles, as has Manuel Pellegrini’s reluctance to truly put faith in him.

Brendan Rodgers has shown a talent for turning trash into treasure in recent seasons – Philippe Coutinho and Daniel Sturridge were unwanted at Chelsea and Inter Milan – and with Jovetic still only 25, there’s time for a top coach to extract his full potential. There have been links…

Micah Richards

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Somewhat the forgotten man of English football, Richards has recently put himself back on the radar by claiming that he’s interested in heading back to the Premier League. A return to City when his current loan deal at Fiorentina ends is unlikely due to his contract’s looming expiration date, so a free transfer appears likely… and Liverpool are believed to be keen.

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With another centre-back a potential addition due to Emre Can’s unorthodox role in a back three, Richards could be an addition that makes sense. With experience as a right-sided full-back, the 26-year-old possesses the attacking intent to feature in Brendan Rodgers’ system, and could thrive now he’s over his injury woes.

Yohan Cabaye

Although Steven Gerrard is by no means a pivotal figure at Anfield now – in terms of first-team importance – replacing his departing captain when he joins LA Galaxy this summer is an issue for Brendan Rodgers.

Jordan Henderson and Joe Allen look to be a good combo, but an experienced Premier League campaigned like Yohan Cabaye may be a wise addition. The Frenchman left Newcastle just over a year ago, and despite his emergence as one of the top playmakers on the block, his game time has been rationed at PSG. Liverpool have been linked with the pass-master, who could offer some stability and an alternative option.

Route to the Capital One Cup final: Bradford City

Bradford City defeated League One team Notts County in the first round, their victory coming in extra time through a James Hanson goal.

Bradford’s second round tie was against Championship side Watford, who went ahead after a 71st minute goal from Ikechi Anya. Bradford scored, first through Kyel Reid’s 84th minute equaliser, and then found a winner through Garry Thompson in injury-time.

Fellow League Two side Burton Albion played Bradford in the third round. Bradford were behind by two goals for the majority of the match, but Bermudian international Nahki Wells scored twice in the last ten minutes, taking the game into extra time. Stephen Darby scored the winning goal in the 115th minute. The victory put Bradford into the last 16 of the competition for the first time in 24 years.

Bradford were drawn against Wigan Athletic of the Premier League in the fourth round. The match was goalless after 90 minutes and also after extra time, resulting in a penalty shoot-out. Bradford won the shoot-out 4–2 with successful penalties from Nathan Doyle, Gary Jones, Stephen Darby and Alan Connell. It was the first time Bradford had knocked a Premiership club out of the competition since they defeated Nottingham Forest in September 1995.

Bradford’s quarter-final victory over Arsenal of the Premier League at Valley Parade was also decided on penalties, after the match finished 1–1 during regulation time. Garry Thompson put the Bantams in the lead in the 16th minute, but the Gunners found an equaliser through Thomas Vermaelen in the 88th minute. Nathan Doyle, Gary Jones and Alan Connell all successfully converted their penalties for Bradford, who won 3–2 on penalties and recorded a historic victory over Premier League high-flyers Arsenal.

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In the semi-final first leg against Premier League Aston Villa, Nahki Wells gave Bradford the lead after 20 minutes and Rory McArdle scored in the 77th minute. Andreas Weimann scored for Aston Villa in the 82nd minute, but Carl McHugh restored Bradford’s two-goal lead in the 87th after heading home Gary Jones’ corner. Aston Villa won the second leg 2–1, but Bradford won 4–3 on aggregate. Christian Benteke put Aston Villa ahead in the 24th minute, before Bradford’s James Hanson levelled in the 55th minute. Andreas Weimann scored an 89th minute goal for Aston Villa to win the game for the Villans but it was not enough to overturn their aggregate deficit. With three Premier League scalps now claimed, Bradford City look forward to an epic clash with Swansea City at Wembley on the 24th February.

Everton and Bournemouth chase Egypt international winger Mahmoud Hassan

According to The Sun, Everton and Bournemouth are targeting Egyptian 23-year-old winger Mahmoud Hassan this summer.

What’s the story?

Hassan is currently on loan at Turkish side Kasimpasa from Anderlecht. He is expected to feature for Egypt at the World Cup in Russia this summer.

Galatasaray are also monitoring the wingers situation, who has netted 12 times and got three assists this season in Turkey.

The Sun are reporting that he will enter the final year of his contract this summer and the player has no desire to return to Belgium. He will be hoping to make a big impact in Russia and seal a dream move to England.

What impact would Hassan have in the Premier League?

The winger has stared in a struggling team in Turkey. Last summer he was heavily linked with Liverpool but that just proved to be rumours.

He is a relatively unknown quantity in England but his highly regarded in Egypt and will be an important player alongside Mo Salah in the World Cup for the African nation.

He is a quick, very right-footed and nimble player with an eye for goal and seems to be a threat to defences. One thing both Everton and Bournemouth have struggled with this season is goals.

Everton have been searching for a striker since Romelu Lukaku left and seemed to have found someone in Cenk Tosan.

Sam Allardyce appears to have secured safety for Everton and is looking to bolster his squad for next season. Yannik Bolasie’s return to fitness and the signing of Theo Walcott have given Everton attacking thrust but Big Sam will still feel he needs to add attacking options.

Everton believe Hassan will provide this threat and competition for Walcott and Bolasie. Eddie Howe is also looking to add attacking options.

The Cherries have been heavily reliant on Josh King and Calum Wilson for goals. While they have no shortage of wingers, Junior Stanislas, Ryan Fraser and Jordon Ibe have failed to cement a place in Howe’s team.

Hassan’s pace and skill is exactly what both managers are looking for. As per The Sun’s report, he could cost them less than £2million which is a bargain in today’s market.

However, he is an unknown and unproven quantity. At 23, he should be entering the prime of his career but is yet to establish himself as a household name.

While the fee would not be a risk, buying Hassan might be a gamble and going for someone more proven might be better for the clubs. Dipping into the market and buying players from the club who get relegated might be a shrewder policy.

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Even if he does impress in the World Cup, this is no guarantee that he will perform at club level. The prime example of this is Hal Robson-Kanu, who’s impressive performances for Wales in Euro 2016 caught West Brom’s eye. He has struggled to get the goals and West Brom were forced to go back into the market for a striker.

If he was to choose a Premier League club, Bournemouth will be a better fit. Under Howe, Hassan will be able to play an attacking brand of football which enjoys. Allardyce will inevitably choose defensive stability and will be more inclined to trust players with more Premier League experience.

While Mahmoud Hassan has impressed in Turkey he is yet to justify a move to a Premier League club. But with his low price tag could be a gamble worth taking.

Is it time to write off Newcastle’s season already?

Since Alan Pardew’s swift departure to Crystal Palace at the beginning of the month, the St. James’ faithful have seen their side trudge on without a manager at the helm, and without much of an idea of what direction their club is heading in, if any.

Several big names throughout Europe were immediately linked to the job, but seeing as the BBC have reported Mike Ashley is to give care-taker boss John Carver the hot-seat until the end of the season, Newcastle United are technically no longer manager-less.

As such a decision has done very little to appease the concerns of Magpie fans, do Newcastle have unfinished business in the remainder of the season, or does the 2014/15 campaign now go down as a write-off for everyone involved with the club?

It ultimately seems a shame that a club as iconic as Newcastle, with their strong fan-base, big stadium, and reputation for being Premier League entertainers throughout the years; have had very little success on the pitch to show for their efforts. Silverware is the ultimate objective of the game, and with the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City – two teams who once would have been consider ‘smaller’ clubs – picking up trophies left, right, and centre; the footballing tide is certainly starting to turn.

History and tradition are beginning to mean less and less in today’s game, and if Newcastle are to avoid falling behind the rest of England’s top-flight sides, they must act sooner rather than later to reverse their fortunes.

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Such a message has seemingly gone unheard by Mike Ashley however, with the Newcastle chairman failing to appoint a recognised head coach to lead his team throughout the rest of the season. John Carver, for all the respect he earns as a local lad who has previously worked with Sir Bobby Robson, just isn’t the man to fit the bill with the St. James’ faithful. Whilst many Newcastle fans may have greeted Pardew’s departure in celebratory fashion, would their reactions had been the same if they knew John Carver would be the man to take over?

The former Toronto FC boss, whose brief stint in the MLS is Carver’s only experience as a first team manager, simply doesn’t inject the kind of enthusiasm back into the Newcastle side that many supporters had hoped for in the wake of Pardew’s exit. The likes of Demba Ba and Yohan Cabaye have unceremoniously moved on in the past, creating the idea of the the club as a stepping stone to dream moves elsewhere, rather than a dream in itself. It’s hard to imagine this image changing under the current stewardship, as very few players are going to be attracted to a team who are happy to merely plod along.

That said, if Mike Ashley and Newcastle United were to somehow land an exciting name that comes with a strong managerial reputation at the end of the season, the half-hearted promotion of John Carver will likely be quickly forgotten. Former Lyon boss, Remi Garde, has been heavily linked to the job at St. James by the Telegraph, and would fit in with the French theme that they have going on at the club. However, current Ajax manager, Frank De Boer, would surely be the most desired choice on Tyneside.

The Dutchman has become synonymous with a no-nonsense attitude, entertaining football, and most importantly; success. Such credentials would certainly tick the boxes at Newcastle – and seeing as it’s been reported in the Guardian that he will decide on his future at the end of season – there may be an argument to be made that Ashley is right to wait for his man.

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Whatever happens for Newcastle in the remainder of the season, the overriding feeling is that the St. James’ faithful deserve better than what they have received in recent years. Mike Ashley seems to treat the black & white stripes as no more than a giant advertising board for his SportsDirect endeavours and has been far too happy to flounder when the aim should be to flourish. It’s hard to know what the club’s aims are for the rest of 2014/15, or more damningly, whether they have any aims at all.

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Liverpool plotting £8m swoop for Brazilian

Liverpool have stepped up their January recruitment drive with an £8 million bid for Inter Milan youngster Coutinho the Daily Mail understand.

After bolstering their attack with the £12 million acquisition of Daniel Sturridge from Chelsea a fortnight ago Brendan Rodgers has turned his attention to strengthening the Reds midfield.

Having grown tired in his attempts to broker a deal with Blackpool for Thomas Ince and Wesley Sneijder’s demands proving unreasonable, Rodgers has switched his attentions to 20-year-old Coutinho.

Chairman Tom Werner spent Friday discussing potential transfers and earmarked the one-cap Brazilian international as a player that fits the profile of owners Fenway Sports Group.

Liverpool’s initial offer is thought to have been rebuffed by the Serie A giants but they are expected to return with a fresh proposal in order to prise him away from the San Siro.

Despite  joining Inter from Vasco Da Gama for €4m as a promising 16-year-old,  though he was allowed to remain at the Estádio São Januário on loan until 2010, he has failed to hit the heights expected of him in Italy.

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With just 28 league appearances under his belt Coutinho is said to have become increasingly frustrated at his lack of first team opportunities and spent the latter half of last season on loan at Spanish club Espanyol.

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Southampton fans react as new boss Mark Hughes eyes Joe Allen swoop

New Southampton manager Mark Hughes is reportedly eyeing a summer move for Stoke City midfielder Joe Allen if the club secure their Premier League status and he stays on at St Mary’s this summer, and Saints fans have been quick to react to the rumour.

Hughes got off to a positive start in his first match in charge of the club on Sunday as his team beat Wigan Athletic 2-0 to reach the semi-finals of the FA Cup, and it appears as though he is already making plans for next season even though his current deal is due to run out at the end of the campaign.

The 54-year-old boss brought Allen to the Britannia Stadium from Liverpool when he was in charge of the Potters in 2016, and now it appears as though he believes the 40-cap Wales international can improve the south coast outfit, too.

Southampton supporters have been quick to have their say on the link via social media, and while one said he “could be Davis’ long-term replacement”, another said “what’s not to like…?”

Here is just a selection of the Twitter reaction…

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FIVE Premier League players Manchester United must sign in January

Although Manchester United are tipped to make some huge transfer moves during the summer, they may still need to consider some players who are guaranteed to understand the English game.

This means they can even search for reinforcements from within the Premier League during the January window before deciding to break the bank at the end of the campaign.

So, here are five players Louis van Gaal should sign consider ahead of the upcoming transfer window if he is to maintain his squad’s quality throughout the second half of the campaign.

Winston Reid

Name: Winston Reid

Age: 26

Position: Centre-Back

Nationality: New Zealand

Club: West Ham United

Price: £20 million (asking price)

Winston Reid has been a constant performer for West Ham United this season, having featured in 15 out of 16 league matches. Sam Allardyce has already led his team into the top four and based on their performance, they are still a strong force this year.

Interest in Reid is quite high, with Arsenal and Liverpool believed to be amongst the clubs looking to sign him in January. He is also nearing the end of his contract, meaning the Hammers may be forced to let him leave.

Seamus Coleman

Name: Seamus Coleman

Age: 26

Position: Right-back

Nationality: Ireland

Club: Everton

Price: £18 – £22 million

Manchester United are currently filled with left-backs, but on the opposite side, they are left rather exposed. Rafael is the only actual player capable of the role with Antonio Valencia often being called to replace him during an injury. Louis van Gaal has already tried to lure Seamus Coleman to Old Trafford during the summer and could do so once again.

He became a vital member of the Everton back line thanks to his fine performance during the previous season. But because he is on good form, he is also being tracked by league leaders Chelsea.

Nathaniel Clyne

Name: Nathaniel Clyne

Age: 23

Position: Right-back

Nationality: England

Club: Southampton

Price: £15 – £20 million

Much like the case of Seamus Coleman, Nathaniel Clyne could be an over better option for Manchester United to secure the services of a highly rated right back. The Southampton man is currently regarded as the best right back in England and is well on his way to become his nations first choice selection.

At only 23, a move to Old Trafford could make him the first choice selection there as well. Plus, playing opposite to Luke Shaw could work wonders as the pair have already worked together while playing for the Saints.

Ron Vlaar

Name: Ron Vlaar

Age: 29

Position: Centre-Back

Nationality: Netherlands

Club: Aston Villa

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Price: £8 – £12 million

Although the World Cup has past for quite a while, Ron Vlaar could still be a short-term fix for Manchester United’s back line, especially with the host of injuries they have been suffering so far. He was a stand-out performer for Netherlands in the summer and could very well replicate that form at Old Trafford.

He earlier revealed that he was happy at Aston Villa earlier in the season, but with his team now sitting in 13th place and his contract coming to an end, he may be open to a new challenge or may even be forced out to avoid a free transfer when his deal expires.

Ross Barkley

Name: Ross Barkley

Age: 21

Position: Attacking Midfield

Nationality: England

Club: Everton

Price: £50 million (asking price)

Ross Barkley is pretty much on the top of almost all the Premier League elites as he is currently regarded as on of England’s most promising midfielders. Both Manchester City as well as Chelsea have joined Manchester United for his signature during the summer, but there was no way Roberto Martinez and Everton were going to let him leave.

The Toffees placed a huge £50million price tag on his head, a number that seems to have halted potential moves for the star attacker, but it doesn’t mean that the big clubs will stop their chase for his services.

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