It was perhaps not a perfect inaugural season for Louis van Gaal at Manchester United but the Red Devils have shown enough improvement this year to suggest they’ll be challenging for next term’s Premier League title.

That, however, will be largely dependent upon how quickly and efficiently the the Old Trafford outfit operate in the transfer market this summer.

Last minute acquisitions, like loan flop Radamel Falcao, often take longer to settle after missing pre-season, whilst the wrong set of signings could well spiral the club back towards the dreaded league standings of the short-lived David Moyes era.

So amid reports – courtesy of striker Robin van Persie – claiming United intend on spending around £200million this summer, we at Football Fancast thought it would be a good idea to outline what would constitute the perfect summer window at Old Trafford.

Are these FIVE the most ideal acquisitions the 13-time Premier League champions could make this summer?

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PETR CECH

With reports this morning claiming Real Madrid have agreed a fee for David De Gea, Manchester United will need to source a top class replacement to their PFA Player of the Year nominee this summer.

And there will be no better option on the market than Chelsea’s Petr Cech; undoubtedly one of the greatest goalkeepers in Premier League history, boasting four league titles, the 2012 Champions League title and 333 appearances as the Blues’ No.1.

But the Stamford Bridge outfit are almost certain to sell this summer with just one year remaining on Cech’s contract, following a 2014/15 campaign in which he lost his starting berth to Thibaut Courtois.

Still only 33 years of age, the Czech international – whose world class abilities have always been underpinned by exemplary positioning rather than his reflexes – could still have a decade ahead of him at top level.

Despite prior reports on the contrary, Chelsea are willing to let the £10million-rated goalkeeper leave for a Premier League rival. But Cech revealed his preference to stay in London earlier this week, suggesting a move to Arsenal is the likeliest scenario.

Nathaniel Clyne

Winger Antonio Valencia has performed well as an ad hoc replacement for Rafael this season but having a more natural defender at right-back would hugely improve Manchester United’s structure both with and without the ball.

In terms of proven Premier League pedigree, age, price-tag and availability, no right-back strikes a better equilibrium than Southampton’s Nathaniel Clyne.

The England international has just come to the end of a fantastic season at Southampton, notching up two goals in 35 appearances and averaging the fifth-most tackles per match, 3.3, of any Premier League player, as part of a Saints backline who claimed the second-healthiest goals conceded record in the division.

That’s seen him become a Three Lions regular and also attract interest from some of the Premier League’s top clubs, who hope Clyne’s hesitation to extend his contract past 2016 will oblige Ronald Koeman’s side to sell this summer.

Having rejected a £10million bid from Liverpool already, however, Southampton will demand their £15million valuation to be met in full.

NICOLAS OTAMENDI

After finding no luck in their pursuit of Borussia Dortmund’s Mats Hummels, Manchester United’s lust for a top class centre-half has reportedly pushed them towards Valencia star Nicolas Otamedi.

The 27 year-old received rave reviews during his four years at FC Porto, helping them clinch three consecutive Primeira Liga titles and the 2011 Europa League title, and has continued to impress since moving to the Mestalla in summer 2014.

This term, the Argentina international has averaged 2.9 tackles, 3.1 interceptions, 7.3 clearances and 3.5 successful aerial duels per match, whilst netting six times in 35 La Liga outings – playing a pivotal role in Valencia claiming the third-best goals conceded column in the Spanish top flight.

Otamendi’s a phenomenal athlete and an action-packed centre-half, with plenty of experience at the top end of the game; he boasts 19 caps for Albiceleste and amassed 31 appearances in continental competitions during his time in Portugal.

He seems to tick all the boxes of what Man United should be looking for this summer, but Valencia have made it abundantly clear any suitor will have to activate the 6 foot centre-back’s £36million release clause.

PAUL POGBA

Manchester United’s engine room lacks world-class quality and there’s no better remedy for that than Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba.

The France international failed to make the first team grade during his three previous campaigns with the Red Devils, but since swapping Old Trafford for the Old Lady in summer 2012 he’s emerged as one of the most complete central midfielders in world football, boasting an eclectic mix of physicality, trickery and netting prowess.

That’s seen him bag 24 goals in 129 appearances for the Turin outfit across all competitions, helping fire them to three consecutive Serie A titles and this season’s Champions League final.

And after such incredible success with the Italian champions, many expect the 22-year-old – who also claimed Europe’s prestigious Golden Boy award in 2013 – to move on this summer and join a somewhat more competitive league.

He’s certainly got some unfinished business at Old Trafford but whether United would be willing to fork out his £70million valuation remains to be seen.

Furthermore, reports this week suggest the 6 foot 2 box-to-boxer could be heading to Barcelona.

KARIM BENZEMA

Manchester United need a replacement for Serie A-bound striker Robin van Persie, and as luck would have it Real Madrid are reportedly set to throw a world-class centre-forward on the scrapheap in Karim Benzema.

The France international is a beastly, old-fashioned No.9 almost tailor-made for Premier League football through his power, height and aerial ability – which is why Sir Alex Ferguson was hell-bent on bringing him to Old Trafford in 2008.

A return of 133 goals in 281 appearances for Los Blancos might not seem so almighty for a striker of the 27 year-old’s obvious quality, but that’s also why he could be such a shrewd signing for the Red Devils; after spending the last six years in Cristiano Ronaldo’s shadow, Benzema still has a point to prove if he’s to be remembered as one of his generation’s greatest front-men.

In terms of experience and quality, he’s the exact calibre of player United should be targeting this summer, and the thought of him and Wayne Rooney charging around together in the final third is an increasingly appealing one.

According to The Guardian, the Bernabeu outfit value their centre-forward at around £40million.