• The United players who may not be at Old Trafford next season
• Have any of United's stars improved under Van Gaal?
• Why United cannot afford to miss out on Champions League
• Wayne Rooney's treatment of Michael Oliver was disgraceful
• Dropped to the U21s, no goals and subbed - Falcao's misery deepens
Louis van Gaal will be given the funds to recruit at least four new players at Manchester United this summer, but uncertainty hangs over as many as 10 members of the first-team squad.
The United manager, who spent over £150 million on new players last summer, is prioritising reinforcements at right-back, centre-half, central midfield and centre-forward, with the prospect of signing a new goalkeeper also a possibility if David de Gea forces the club into action should the Spain international reject attempts to secure him to a new long-term contract.
United have regularly scouted the Southampton and England full-back Nathaniel Clyne, with the 23-year-old's progress over the past 18 months seeing him emerge as a target. And the Athletic Bilbao centre-half Aymeric Laporte - a 20-year-old France Under-21 international - has also been repeatedly monitored by United. Van Gaal always has a ball-playing centre-half in his sides and he remains a confirmed admirer of Borussia Dortmund's Mats Hummels, who would fit this bill.
No-go: Kevin Strootman's possible move to United has stalled due to his knee injury
Van Gaal's long-term desire to take Kevin Strootman to Old Trafford has suffered a setback, however, with the Roma midfielder now sidelined until pre-season following knee surgery.
Strootman, who was a key figure in Van Gaal's Holland squad, only returned to action in November after suffering a cruciate knee ligament injury which forced him to miss the World Cup.
United's attacking options will be addressed this summer and the likelihood of Radamel Falcao being sent back to Monaco, rather than signed permanently at the cost of £43.2 million, is expected to ensure that Robin van Persie remains at Old Trafford to see out the final year of his contract.
Van Persie, currently sidelined with an ankle injury, has been a huge disappointment this season, but with the 31-year-old suffering a delayed start to this campaign following the World Cup, and with injuries plaguing the Dutch forward, there is a hope that a free summer will see the player return refreshed in July.
Paris Saint-Germain forward Edinson Cavani has been scouted by United for the past two seasons, while Van Gaal is also considering Burnley forward Danny Ings, who will be available for a compensation figure of around £5 million when his Turf Moor contract expires in June.
Fading: Robin van Persie's form this season has been poor
Having allowed 14 players to leave Old Trafford last summer, Van Gaal must decide the futures of several players whose contracts expire in June or at the end of next season.
Michael Carrick will be offered a new contract, with Ashley Young also considered for a new deal, but the likes of Phil Jones, Chris Smalling, Jonny Evans, Javier Hernandez and Rafael da Silva are all under threat of being sold.
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