Louis van Gaal will be happy that he has transformed Manchester United back into Premier League title contenders within his second season at Old Trafford.

But the veteran Dutch manager knows only too well that his squad are still missing a few key ingredients that can help sustain that challenge until the season ends in May.

One big problem has been finding that electric winger who can terrorise opposing full-backs with their lightening pace.

Angel Di Maria failed to settle with the Red Devils, he didn’t buy into Van Gaal’s philosophy and was gone after a season. One time United prodigy Adnan Januzaj has been loaned out to Borussia Dortmund after he too was found wanting by disciplinarian Van Gaal.

New big money signing Memphis Depay has the potential but at the moment he’s failing to realise that potential and has been placed on the sidelines by his tough taskmaster.

That has meant that Juan Mata and Jesse Lingard have recently been deployed as the United wingers.

Mata lacks the true pace needed to become a great Man Utd winger like a George Best, a Ryan Giggs or a Cristiano Ronaldo. Youngster Lingard is improving all the time but can the twenty-two year old change the biggest of games in United’s favour? That remains to be seen.

The fact that United’s management team have fielded pacey striker Anthony Martial out on the wing, shows that it’s an area that still concerns the United boss.

In the past week Louis van Gaal made it clear that he still thinks the wide positions need more reinforcements:

“I have said already in my first year many times we need speed and creativity on the wings.”

“So first we must first finish that problem and then we can see how we have to play and how we are in balance with playing with speedy wingers.”

Two players have really caught the eye in the Premier League with their outstanding performances and could be the answer to Van Gaal’s pacey wing problems; Southampton’s Sadio Mane and Leicester City’s Riyad Mahrez.

We already know Mane has caught the eye of United scouts, with a Man Utd bid of around £15m rejected late on during the summer transfer window. It’s believe that they would have to bid closer to the £30m mark to stand any chance of prising him away this January.

The attacker enjoyed great success with the Saints last term and has continued to find great form during this campaign. He as scored three times so far after eleven Premier League starts and has also produced four assists.

Although he’s been mainly used as a number ten by Ronald Koeman, the Senegalese international can operate on either wing. He likes the ball at his feet and run and take on defenders. Also confident and draws in a lot of fouls. Lacks discipline at times and that may worry Van Gaal.

Mahrez has been a superstar for the Foxes this year and has helped propel them into the top four at the moment. The Algerian has helped his teams cause with an astonishing seven league goals and five assists.

Playing with a real swagger at the moment and with confidence that will have impressed someone like Van Gaal.

Another wide-man who can play on either flank but has been starring out on the right-handside this term and that could be useful if Lingard continues to improve on the left or Depay can comeback stronger in the second half of the season.

Has that searing pace that Man Utd have often lacked under Louis’ tenure, has a great cross on him and also likes to take on  opponents with a dribble or ten!

Manchester United are often a side that takes a chance with players from the English league and I can’t see why they wouldn’t take a punt on either of these two gems.

Obviously if United choose to bid for either of these two stars then they will come with a hefty price tag but Man United are a team that can afford to pay a big fee, especially on talent that could make them serious title contenders!

Out of the two which one would I go for?

Well Riyad Mahrez has been simply outstanding this season, seems to be improving and is the younger of the two.

But in all honesty I think either would improve the current squad at Old Trafford but wont be easy to get as neither Southampton or Leicester will be in a hurry to sell!

Posted on November 13th, 2015 by scott
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