Louis van Gaal has forced United to redraw their transfer plans after insisting he is not interested in Cesc Fabregas. The Dutchman has handed executive vice chairman Ed Woodward his own wanted list – which he expects to be delivered after he returns from World Cup duty with Holland.
Barcelona midfielder Fabregas was one of the names being considered by United in a summer of unprecedented spending for the club. But Van Gaal insists the 27-year-old does not figure in his plans and has instructed Woodward to focus on alternative targets – including Kevin Strootman.
United are set to spend in the region of £200m to ensure a swift return to the Champions League after David Moyes’ disastrous reign saw them miss out on Europe altogether. Toni Kroos, Luke Shaw, Marco Reus and Fabregas were all on Woodward’s wanted list even before Van Gaal’s appointment last week. United’s targets have since been fine-tuned by their new manager, with the decision to end all interest in Fabregas the most significant change.
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Van Gaal wants Borussia Dortmund centre back Mats Hummels, who he believes can fill the void left by Nemanja Vidic’s departure. Dnipro winger Yehven Konoplyanka and Dortmund’s Marco Reus are also targets. The decision to omit Fabregas from his thinking is a clear indication that Van Gaal will do things his way at United.
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On paper Fabregas would appear to suit 62-year-old’s philosophy as a multi-functional player with outstanding technical ability. But the former Ajax, Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager has a clear idea of what is needed to revive United’s fortunes and does not believe the Spanish international is what is required.
He has identified midfield as a position in desperate need of address and sees Strootman’s physical power as ideal to add some steel to United’s lightweight engine room. Roma are understood to be determined to hold on to the 24-year-old, dubbed the Dutch Roy Keane, who has been ruled out of the World Cup following a knee-ligament injury. It may take in excess of £25m to convince the Italians to sell, but Woodward has made no secret of the fact that he is prepared to be bold in the transfer market in order to arm Van Gaal with a squad capable of challenging for the title next season.
Van Gaal does not want to be involved in any player negotiations, instead handing United a wanted list that he expects them to be able to deliver.
The pursuit of Shaw was already well underway before the Holland manager was confirmed as Moyes’ successor. Patrice Evra’s new one-year deal will not dampen United’s interest, but could lead the 18-year-old to reconsider his options. Having broken into Roy Hodgson’s World Cup squad, he will want to be sure of first team football at Old Trafford in order to challenge Baines in the England team next season. United will tell Shaw that they believe the experienced Evra’s presence will help his development at the club.
