Seven players arrived with over a dozen leaving, either on loan or on a permanent basis.
While this summer will not be quite so hectic, there will still be plenty of movement with United’s American owners, the Glazer family, committed to backing Van Gaal with a sizeable transfer war chest as he prepares for the anticipated return to the Champions League and a serious bid to recapture the Premier League title.
In my view, United need a right back, centre half, midfielder, wide player and striker.
Gareth Bale is set to top United’s shopping list if his Real Madrid dream continues to turn sour.
That could lead to Angel Di Maria being sold, if he tells United he is unhappy and wants to go, with Paris Saint-Germain his likely destination.
GETTY
Could Clyne, Hummels, Depay and Bale all line up as Manchester United players next season?
Van Gaal is a big admirer of PSV Eindhoven wide man Memphis Depay while he sent chief scout Jim Lawlor to run the rule over Lazio striker Felipe Anderson.
After raiding Southampton for left-back Luke Shaw last summer, United are set to return to St Mary’s to buy Nathaniel Clyne to solve their problem right-back position.
Van Gaal continues to monitor Kevin Strootman’s rehabilitation from a cruciate ligament injury in the hope the Roma and Holland star can make a full recovery and become his midfield enforcer.
The back-to-back wins over Tottenham and Liverpool, however, have given Van Gaal plenty of food for thought about players who looked as if they might be surplus to requirements at Old Trafford.
Juan Mata and Marouane Fellaini, the two buys from David Moyes’ ill-fated spell, have re-emerged as key figures and now look as if they will stay.
Memphis Depay Player Profile
And for several months, winger Ashley Young has been one of United’s most consistent performers.
Ander Herrera, too, has shown he has the strength and determination, along with the skill, to cope with English football.
The displays of Chris Smalling and Phil Jones as a centre-back pairing have suggested that they could finally fulfil Sir Alex Ferguson’s belief that they could be the long-term replacements for Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic.
But Van Gaal only has to take one look at their respective injury records to see that it would be foolish to abandon his long-held interest in Borussia Dortmund’s Mats Hummels.
On the departure list will be Radamel Falcao whose loan spell form Monaco has not worked out.
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He could be joined by Robin Van Persie whose performances this season suggest his best days are behind him.
Rafael Da Silva is also likely to be through the exit door if United sign Clyne while Adnan Januzaj has suffered from “second season” syndrome and needs to convince Van Gaal he can fulfil his potential.
But, arguably, the most important piece of business for United this summer is to persuade goalkeeper David de Gea to sign a new long-term contract to fend off interest from Real Madrid.
Possible United XI next season (4-2-3-1): De Gea; Clyne, Jones, Hummels, Shaw; Carrick, Herrera; Depay, Mata, Bale; Rooney.
