Man Utd boss Van Gaal vows to buy quality not quantity in future windows

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has completely revamped the squad since taking charge

THE mass turnover of players which have been a feature of Louis van Gaal's first two summers as Manchester United manager will not happen again.

 

Van Gaal has completely revamped United's squad in his first year in charge by signing 13 players – at a cost of £260m – while off loading over 20 for around £100m.

The only survivors from the squad that won the Premier League title two years ago are skipper Wayne Rooney, Chris Smalling, Ashley Young, Phil Jones, Antonio Valencia and David De Gea - who almost joined Real Madrid on Monday.

 

But senior figures at Old Trafford insist the big 'churn' days are over, the age level of the squad has been considerably reduced and United believe they will need only to 'top up' by buying one or possibly two players each summer - especially if a superstar like Gareth Bale or Thomas Muller became available.

Despite the De Gea fiasco, it is understood United are happy with their dealings in a transfer window when they bought Memphis Depay, Matteo Darmian, Morgan Schneiderlin, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Sergio Romero and French wonderboy Anthony Martial for a combined £112m - a sum second only to neighbours Manchester City.

 

Sources say Van Gaal cooled his initial interest in striker Pedro Rodriguez - who joined Chelsea from Barcelona - and never wanted Valencia defender Nicolas Otamendi, who joined Manchester City.

Van Gaal DID want Real Madrid's Sergio Ramos and Southampton's Sadio Mane but United's offers were rejected.

When Real rebuffed the interest in Ramos, it is understood Van Gaal did not want any other centre back and was happy to continue with the defenders already in his squad, despite the reservations of many United followers and ex-players.

United say are delighted they have still got a world class keeper in De Gea – even if it is for only the last year on his contract – and are confident the Spaniard will bury the disappointment of seeing his dream move collapse, as well settling his differences with van Gaal, and return to the team.

 

They accept he will be emotionally bruised but expect him to want to start playing again, especially as he has the added incentive of needing to keep his place in the Spain squad with Euro 2016 looming next summer.

Sources say De Gea’s conduct while out of the team for the first six games has been “fantastic” and there are “no issues.” 

United's disappointment over Southampton's rejection of their 15m bid for Senegalese striker Mane was tempered by viewing the difficulties Chelsea and Tottenham experienced with their failed bids for Everton's John Stones and West Brom's Saido Berahino, respectively.

It underlined the reality that the so-called 'smaller' clubs are so flushed with cash because of the new TV deal that they are in a far better position than ever before to resist the temptation of a sizeable transfer fee for their best players.