Manchester United’s fourth place finish marked a decent first season in charge for Louis van Gaal, who ensured the club’s primary aim of securing Champions League football was met with six points to spare.
Attention has already turned to next season, however, and there is still plenty of work to do in order to fulfil the notably higher expectations they will face. It’s already clear United want to be challenging for the league title next term, but the squad will have to be strengthened if they are to have any hope of overhauling the likes of Arsenal, Manchester City and Chelsea.
Despite the defence remaining a cause for concern and the goalkeeping situation a worry with the future of goalkeeper David de Gea still in doubt, it’s the attacking players that could have the biggest influence on their success next season.
The Red Devils struggled at times in the campaign just gone with a lack of firepower ultimately costing them a top three finish. It was hard to envisage that at the start of the season, but with Robin van Persie struggling for both fitness and form and Radamel Falcao failing to make a significant impression; there appears to be a real need for a new striker this summer – especially as the latter has been sent back to Monaco.
A few names have already been linked with a move to Old Trafford including Harry Kane and Gonzalo Higuain, but there is the possibility that Real Madrid could be willing to cash in on Karim Benzema. This is the player Van Gaal should be prioritising over the summer and a signing that could make them a real threat next season.
The arrival of Rafa Benitez at Madrid has led to speculation that Benzema may lose his place in the side, with Ronaldo tipped to fill the centre forward position at the Bernabeu. And with suggestions that the striker could also be used in some sort of deal to finally sign De Gea; Benzema’s time in Spain could be coming to an end.
Arsenal have also been strongly linked with the Frenchman who still remains one of the best goalscorers in Europe, and the destination of the 27-year-old could well be the difference between which of these teams finishes higher next season.
Benzema netted 22 goals last term, and it’s that sort of return that United will be desperate for going forward. He’s not only a superb finisher that will guarantee goals, but his ability to create opportunities for his team-mates would make him a great asset to United, providing the cutting edge they lacked so dearly.
Given the outstanding exploits of Ronaldo; Benzema’s contribution often gets overlooked, but the fact he’s scored 123 goals in less than 250 appearances for the Spanish giants highlights his class and potency.
At the prime of his career; he certainly looks like the marquee signing that United require upfront and would send a huge signal of intent to the rest of the Premier League.
Van Gaal will be desperate to improve on the lacklustre tally of 62 goals that his United side registered last season – their second lowest in Premier League history – and a pairing of Wayne Rooney and Benzema would definitely provide them with the firepower to do so.
Whether or not the forward leaves the Spanish capital this summer remains to be seen; and you’d have to say it would be strange were Real willing to let a player of this quality depart. But if this is the case what the Red Devils mustn’t do is allow him to join the Gunners without doing all they can to secure his signature.
Which ever team can win the race for the £30m striker will not only have put themselves in the best position to wrestle the league title off Chelsea, but also have dealt a huge blow to one of their major rivals before the season has even got underway.
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