Four big names up for sale in squad overhaul, including two crowd favourites.Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal could risk the wrath of his supporters with the decision to allow four big-name players to leave the club in the near future in a bid to continue his overhaul of the squad at Old Trafford.
The Red Devils have undergone a major rebuilding process since the Dutchman’s arrival, with established names such as Danny Welbeck, Javier Hernandez, Nani, and Tom Cleverley being offloaded this summer after experienced duo Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand also left on free transfers.
Meanwhile, numerous new faces have come in this summer, with big money being spent on the likes of Angel Di Maria, Radamel Falcao, Ander Herrera and Daley Blind – and the changes don’t appear to be ending there.
With United looking highly vulnerable defensively this season, van Gaal now wants to raise around £91m in transfer funds to bring in big names such as Borussia Dortmund star Mats Hummels and Atletico Madrid stopper Miranda, as well as other signings further up the pitch.
These players will not come cheap, and United will now look to offload some big names, including two fan favourites in the near future to bring in enough money to continue revamping the squad.
Expected to fetch around £24m, Juan Mata has been linked with a move to Juventus this January, while Atletico Madrid and AS Roma could also be interested in the Spanish playmaker. Mata has not been at his best since making the move to Old Trafford from Chelsea last January, and van Gaal appears to favour the likes of Di Maria and Wayne Rooney in the attacking midfield positions that he can fill. With Arturo Vidal and Kevin Strootman also top targets for the Red Devils, it could be that Mata will be used in swap deals for either of these players.
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