Manchester United transfer news: Angel Di Maria sale means United can now spend, spend, spend - but who might they buy?

Manchester United boss Louis Van Gaal has made it clear that he wants to sign another big player to bring more "creativity" to his side

LVG (Getty images)

Prior to the opening of the transfer window, Louis Van Gaal made it clear that he wanted to buy "big" this summer. With the likes of Bastian Schweinsteiger having already joined, Manchester United have stated their intent to buy big players. But with more than a month to go until the transfer window closes, Van Gaal is still without his much-sought “Galatico” and recently confessed that the team was in need of “much more creativity”.

To stand any chance of competing with their Premier League and European rivals Van Gaal admitted that United needed to make another marquee signing. So who could fit the bill?

Fernando Llorente:

After following out of favour at Juventus last season, and with more than 100 goals to his name for both club and country, Llorente could help fill United’s hole up front. Standing at 6ft 5 in, the striker could bring a real potency to the side and provide a threatening outlet for the likes of Bastian Schweinsteiger and Juan Mata in the middle.

Thomas Muller:

The 25-year-old World Cup winner is another prolific striker who has been linked with Old Trafford. With fellow German Bastian Schweinsteiger at United, and having already played under Van Gaal at Bayern Munich between 2009 and 2011, the forward would more than easily adapt to the side. The German striker would be a huge signing for the club if Van Gaal can lure the player away from Munich.

Pedro:

With Angel di Maria’s move to PSG a near certainty, the 27-year-old winger would serve as an exciting replacement. Reports in Spain suggested the signing was complete but assistant coach Frank Hoek has admitted that the transfer would be “difficult”. United would need to trigger Pedro’s £22.8 release clause to bring the player to Old Trafford.

Edison Cavani:

Following David Moyes’s efforts last year to sign Cavani, Van Gaal could finally bring the Uruguayan striker to Old Trafford after reports emerged that the player is unhappy at PSG. As a proven centre-forward with a tireless work rate, the 28-year-old could fit in nicely playing ahead of Rooney or alongside Memphis Depay.

Cristiano Ronaldo:

The transfer window would not be what it is without some form of speculation linking Ronaldo with a “shock” return to Manchester United. Regardless, with constant reports that the Portuguese has become disillusioned with life at the Bernabeu, a return to Old Trafford would undoubtedly revitalise Van Gaal’s side and potentially transform United into a league-winning side again.