Manchester United transfer news: More signings expected, indicates Ed Woodward

Manchester United executive vice-chairman tells fans to 'watch this space' and reveals there is no 'fixed budget'

Simon Rice
Tuesday 22 July 2014 03:37 EDT
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Louis van Gaal
Louis van Gaal (GETTY IMAGES)

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Manchester United fans have been given the strongest indication yet that Louis van Gaal will be making more additions to his squad this summer.

With the club desperate to make a quick return to the top, having slumped to a seventh place finish in the Premier League last season, £56m has already been spent on bringing in defender Luke Shaw and midfielder Ander Herrera.

Yet those are unlikely to be the only arrivals this summer according to executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward.

"There is a lot of work going on behind the scenes," he told MUTV. "Watch this space."

There are numerous gaps to fill for Louis van Gaal with Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand having left and Patrice Evra also set to leave the club. In addition Ryan Giggs has retired.

There are also question marks over numerous players still at the club. Bebe and Anderson were omitted from the squad currently on a pre-season tour of the United States whilst other players, including Tom Cleverley and Ashley Young, need to prove their worth to the new manager.

“We’ve got someone who has confidence in himself about making difficult decisions and, when you boil down what makes a great manager, one of the key characteristics is making difficult decisions,” Woodward said yesterday. “We’ve clearly got a manager who can do that.”

An environment has been created where new arrivals appear both likely and necessary.

"There is no fixed budget," Woodward added. "Financially we are extremely strong. We want to do what it takes to win the title."

Among those in contention for a move to Old Trafford is Mats Hummels, however The Independent understands Feyenoord's Stefan de Vrij is a likelier arrival at centre-back.

Also linked with the club is Chile midfielder Arturo Vidal, Real Madrid's Angel Di Maria and PSG striker Edinson Cavani.

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