Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal expects to follow Memphis Depay with further signings

Louis van Gaal has claimed he hopes to bolster the Manchester United squad further during the summer transfer window to build a balanced team with two players for almost every position after having struggled to select a regular XI during his first season in charge due to injuries.

The Premier League giants confirmed earlier this month that Memphis Depay will be the first signing of the summer after agreeing to pay PSV Eindhoven a fee believed to be in the region of £31m ($48.9, €41.7m) - £24.6m, with a further £6.5m due in performance-related bonuses.

Recent reports have linked the Mancunians with a number of players including Real Madrid star Gareth Bale, Barcelona right-back Dani Alves and Borussia Dortmund duo Ilkay Gundogan and Mats Hummels.

Club executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward revealed on 14 May that the club will be active in the transfer window following the announcement of their latest financial results for the third fiscal quarter.

Van Gaal has now confirmed the plans to sign more players during the summer transfer window although he refused to comment on specific targets.

"The future is dependable on the balance of our selection next year, that this year is still not [the case] and we have to do that – it's not so easy, believe me. I go more for the balance than the individual player," the manager said.

"I have said the most important thing is to make a balance in our selection because it's not good that I have to change the position of players because players are injured. We have to bring that balance back in the selection, and that was not [the case] in this year,"

"But it is not a case in the transfer market that 'I want you and he comes!' You can mention a lot of names. I see that I am buying everyone in the world but it is not like that."

Meanwhile, the Dutch boss has urged Gareth Southgate to not include Luke Shaw in England's Under 21 squad for the European Championships this summer after the former Southampton starlet has been plagued with injuries during much of the current season.

"He needs to rest. He over-crossed his limits. He is 19. What can you expect? We have to protect him. I hope [Gareth Southgate] understands that," the boss said.