Manchester United summer transfer dossier: Van Gaal must build squad worthy of title challenge

Louis van Gaal has had a season to digest his resources at Manchester United and after returning Champions League football to Old Trafford, the Premier League title is the next aim for the Dutchman.

There has been no shortage of predictions that United can compete for next season's title from inside and outside the club but a solid summer of spending must follow. Angel di Maria and Radamel Falcao endured uncertain campaigns and the business during the current off-season must significantly improve.

Business so far

Memphis Depay became the first marque signing of the summer when the club confirmed a deal in principal has been agreed with PSV Eindhoven. The club's main business has surrounded those leaving the club with Falcao's loan not made permanent while Tom Cleverley has moved to Everton. Goalkeeper Ben Amos will follow suit as he approaches the end of his contract.

What they need

Despite Van Gaal's insistence that United can be title challengers next season, the club arguably need reinforcements in every position. David de Gea's exit will almost certainly see a new goalkeeper signed, while the club's defence needs work after a harrowing campaign.

The over-reliance on Michael Carrick, who missed much of the season through injury, means Van Gaal has already targeting signing a deep-lying midfielder. With Falcao having departed and Robin van Persie's future uncertain, an addition in attack is almost certain as well.

Who could join

United's status as one of the world's biggest clubs means they are naturally at the epicentre of speculation in the transfer window, with an endless stream of names linked with moving to the north west. Among those is Tottenham 'keeper Hugo Lloris, Barcelona's Dani Alves, Liverpool winger Raheem Sterling, Valencia's Nicolas Otamendi and Southampton's Morgan Schneiderlin. Expect a busy summer.

Who could leave

Having yet to agree a new contract, the future of De Gea looks increasingly likely to be with Real Madrid. The Spain international has been coy over his future and reports indicate it could be a matter of time before he returns to the Spanish capital for a fee approaching £30m. An altogether uncertain campaign means few of United's key players are of interest to their rivals, with only the likes of Javier Hernandez and Nani, both on loan last season, likely to leave.

What the manager has said

"It is always ending on 31 August, which, in my opinion, is ridiculous," added Van Gaal. "I have many times strived to change the transfer window because it has to be out of the competition.

"Last year we had the World Cup and a lot of players came in later. We made a lot of purchases at the last moment, on 31 August, so we had to prepare our team in the Premier League and that cost us a lot of points. That's the difference with other teams. I hope we shall finish that much earlier."