Manchester United: Louis van Gaal working with Sir Alex Ferguson to land top summer targets

Louis van Gaal and Sir Alex Ferguson are reportedly working together to help Manchester United recruit the world's best players during the upcoming summer transfer window.

According to the Mirror, the Dutchman has received the go ahead from the club's hierarchy to begin a £200m spending spree as they look to mount a serious title challenge next season.

Van Gaal is looking to tap into the Scot's "know-how" and contacts to sign top targets in the summer.

The former Bayern Munich manager has indicated that they will need to spend big and bring in "very very good" players to have a chance at winning the title and has already begun with the capture of Memphis Depay from PSV Eindhoven.

The Red Devils have been linked with moves for various top players in different positions. The manager is keen on bolstering all areas of the pitch with midfield and defence being his priority.

United have been linked with moves for Ilkay Gundogan, Joao Miranda, Nicolas Gaitan and Karim Benzema among others.

The 20-times English champions are also facing the prospect of losing player of the season David de Gea to Real Madrid, and the manager will be tasked to find an able replacement and has been linked with moves for Petr Cech and Hugo Lloris.

The report claims that Ferguson and Van Gaal are long standing friends and it is believed that the former has made it clear that he is willing to help in any way he can despite wanting to keep a low profile at the club.

Meanwhile, UEFA president Michel Platini has confirmed that the former United manager, apart from his role at United, is also UEFA's coaching ambassador.

"Sir Alex is chairman of the forum of elite coaches that meet every year. He will also be a member of the technical study group of the Champions League and the European Championship," Platini said, as quoted by the Mirror.