The Standard Group Plc is a multi-media organization with investments in media platforms spanning newspaper print operations, television, radio broadcasting, digital and online services. The Standard Group is recognized as a leading multi-media house in Kenya with a key influence in matters of national and international interest.

Standard Group Plc HQ Office,
The Standard Group Center,Mombasa Road.
P.O Box 30080-00100,Nairobi, Kenya.
Telephone number: 0203222111, 0719012111
Email: [email protected]

NEWS & CURRENT AFFAIRS

The Nairobian

Revealed: 10 players wanted by Van Gaal at Man United, all of whom he failed to sign

Football

By Mirror | Aug 25, 2020

**Louis van Gaal has lifted the lid on 10 transfer targets he wanted to bring to Old Trafford [COURTESY]**

Louis van Gaal has lifted the lid on 10 transfer targets he wanted to bring to Old Trafford during his time as Manchester United boss - but he was unable to sign any of them.

The Dutchman took over from David Moyes on a three-year deal in 2014 and was faced with rejuvenating what he described at the time as a "broken" Red Devils squad.

Van Gaal quickly got to work in the transfer market, signing Ander Herrera, Luke Shaw and Marcos Rojo before breaking the record transfer fee paid by an English club with the £59.7million signing of Angel Di Maria from Real Madrid.

And although he spent £150million in his first transfer window alone, Van Gaal claims there were a number of big-name signings he missed out on.

"I wanted Robert Lewandowski, but when this proved difficult I tried to get Gonzalo Higuain instead," Van Gaal told FourFourTwo.

Keep Reading

Bayern Munich v Paris St Germain - Estadio da Luz, Lisbon, Portugal - August 23, 2020 Bayern Munich's Robert Lewandowski celebrates with the trophy after winning the Champions League [REUTERS/Matthew Childs]

"Before I had arrived, I also spoke with the board about Neymar. If you are at United, you have to think big. He was also interesting for the club in terms of selling shirts, and I wanted to have quick wingers. For that reason, I also tried to get Sadio Mane and Riyad Mahrez.

"Thomas Muller was on my wish list, too, and in central midfield I wanted N’Golo Kante. I even tried to sign James Milner, who was already quite old but very multifunctional and possessed leadership skills.

"For the defence, I wanted Sergio Ramos and Mats Hummels, because ours wasn’t the strongest in building from the back."

Real Madrid's Spanish defender Sergio Ramos celebrates with the trophy after winning the Liga title after the Spanish League football match between Real Madrid CF and Villarreal CF at the Alfredo di Stefano stadium in Valdebebas, on the outskirts of Madrid, on July 16, 2020. (Photo by GABRIEL BOUYS / AFP)

Though United finished in the Champions League places during Val Gaal's first season in charge, they slipped out of the top four in the 2015/16 campaign.

Reflecting on the failure to bring his priority targets to Old Trafford, the former Netherlands boss bemoaned not have a hands-on role in negotiations.

Van Gaal added: "Those were my top targets, but we couldn’t get any of them. I don’t know why, because as the manager I wasn’t involved in any negotiations.

"After I left, players like Mahrez and Kante ended up at Manchester City and Chelsea, while United couldn’t get them. I found that very odd."