Angel Di Maria hailed by van Gaal as the missing player

11 August 2014 02:48

Louis van Gaal has hinted that Manchester United are lacking width from players of a certain quality such as Angel Di Maria as the days count down for the end of the transfer window.

Asked about the comments of Ed Woodward who famously suggested that money was no barrier for Van Gaal to rebuild Manchester United, he said in the Sunday Mirror:

"It is a strategy of Manchester United to do that. At this moment, we have five No.9s and four No.10s – and we don’t have wingers to give us attacking width.

"Or, I should say, we don't have wingers of the highest level, like Ronaldo or Di Maria or somebody like that. So, I have to play in another way – and you have seen that already. I only buy when I think we need to buy – in the position that is necessary."

Perhaps in an effort to play down the implication that United will pay whatever it takes to get the player they want Van Gaal has suggested they will only get the player needed that he thinks will be capable of playing in the Premier League. He would also not be drawn on the rumours surrounding Manchester United and several Dutch World Cup stars linked with the Old Trafford Club:

"If they are at the level I want them to be, then I will sign Dutch players. Nationality isn't something that concerns me.

"But Dutch players are usually cheaper than players of other nationalities and they have usually been very well educated in the Netherlands, I believe.

"But they have to be of a level than can play well in the English Premier League. You have to ask if that is the case with every player."

Angel Di Maria has been linked with a move to Manchester United along with several other players but it remains to be seen if Luis Van Gaal can correct the issue he has stated he has with width by buying a player he has named to be of sufficient quality.

Source: DSG