Marquinhos – 20 Years Old (source: The Express)

Another week, another talented young centre back linked with Manchester United. Marquinhos, like Varane has seen has time limited since he moved to the French club from Roma two seasons ago but he remains a player with a huge amount of potential. Perhaps the only bright spark of the Roma defence that was leakier than a colander at the back under Zeman, their gung-ho approach would’ve been more disastrous had Marquinhos not been there to rescue them with timely interceptions and late tackles. Looking at how Rudi Garcia managed to transform that back line, you have to wonder whether Marquinhos made the right move leaving the club, he’d certainly be a better player had he stayed. Nonetheless, the Brazilian has bags of talent, for a player of his age he has a solid understanding of his role and a great temperament towards his football. Physically he’s not daunting and perhaps lack the usual size that you might expect in a centre back and that puts him at a disadvantage when the ball is in the air but he’s very quick across the ground and a difficult opponent to get around. Van Gaal will appreciate his comfort on the ball and the distribution from his defenders this season has been fairly close to abysmal at times (Jonny Evans, I’m looking at you). For a player who has played at two of the biggest clubs in Europe it is often easy to forget that Marquinhos remains highly inexperienced and has started less than 50 league games with both sides.

Where would he fit in?

As has been highly evident throughout the season the back line for the defence is the notable weak spot and any addition will be welcome news. Marquinhos would unquestionably take one of the centre back roles whether in a 4-4-2/3-5-2 and he’d probably United’s most talented defender on paper. However this is a back line that is completely void of experience and as mentioned previously, Marquinhos wouldn’t be helping in that department.

Chances of signing?

Snapped up by PSG for a hefty sum in the summer of 2013, Marquinhos’ role has shifted to backup as fellow Brazilian, David Luiz has moved to the French capital. The fact that at both club and country he remains behind the same pairing means he is unlikely to break into one without the other and this unlikely scenario means he might be looking for pastures new but at the same time he is benefitting from the experience of perhaps one of the best defenders around in Thiago Silva, the sort of benefit that he wouldn’t find in Manchester.

Thomas Muller – 25 Years Old (source: The Mirror)

10 Goals in two World Cup Finals. TEN! And he’s only 25. Thomas Muller explodes to the top of everyone’s thoughts following a World Cup it would seem but his rise to the top is not something that happens every four years, he’s quietly gone about his play in the most cliché of manners for a German and that is supreme consistency. Truly a man for all occasions but really comes into his own in the big moments. During Bayern Munich’s two campaigns to the final of the Champions League, Muller scored thirteen goals in the process, he would’ve scored the winning goal in 2012 if Didier Drogba hadn’t been possessed by the gods during that season in the tournament. A jack of all trades when it comes to attacking roles, Muller’s versatility isn’t unique but the fact that he can perform at such a high level across every role makes him a very special player. He doesn’t appear on the surface to be a world beater, physically he doesn’t possess a standout trait but his technical ability, reading of the game and knowledge of where the defence’s weak spot is, has been uncanny. In that sense he is almost reminiscent of Zidane, but that’s where the comparison between the two should end. Attracted to space, Muller constantly finds himself in acres of it and this is what his manager’s love, it makes him dangerous, defenders have to be constantly wary of his movement and more often than not it still makes no difference as he is able to provide the finishing touch or the crucial assist almost inevitably.

Where would he fit in?

It’s difficult to find a place for Muller, he’d find himself in the starting line up, that is almost a certainty but in which role? The beauty of this question may be that in every week it is for someone different in United’s attacking front, whether he’s asked to play as the focal point in place of Falcao or Van Persie, as the creative in place of Mata or Di Maria and it wouldn’t be altogether surprising if he found himself taking Wayne Rooney’s deeper position on occasions. He can do it all.

Chances of signing?

A consistent starter for one of Europe’s most dominant teams at the moment, maybe Muller prefers a challenge as opposed to walking the Bundesliga, a man who thrives as an underdog, it is still a long shot that Bayern Munich who harbour any thoughts of selling one of their most valuable assets. Maybe, the bond between and former manager is stronger than most know and Van Gaal can persuade the German to take the short flight to Manchester and play in red.

Kevin Strootman – 24 Years Old (source: several)

Having recovered from a serious knee injury that saw him ruled out of action since March, Kevin Strootman has been back in action for Roma. The all purpose midfielder was one of the Europe’s brightest sparks but that flame has certainly dwindled, in only a handful of appearances so far this season, Strootman has looked like a player that hasn’t been on the pitch for a very long time. Whether that is just ring rust or a more permanent knock to his physical attributes, remains to be seen. At his best, Strootman is a marvellous player. His ability on the ball, in particular his passing range is quite exquisite. An eye for goal from his central midfield role was evident with his five in Serie A during a shortened campaign and a player that relishes the phase of the game when he is not in possession, he provides a stable presence ahead of the defence with strong tackling and excellent understanding of the game. Pivotal to Roma’s challenge for the title last season, the club seemingly lost momentum in the closing stages without his presence. Similarly the Dutch side had to change their style of play without Strootman in the World Cup, whilst they didn’t fare particularly badly, his all-round ability would not have hindered them at all and may have been the difference between lifting the trophy. It would be a sad twist to a very promising career if Strootman is plagued by his knee and will rob football of one of their best midfielders in this current generation.

Where would he fit in?

United strengthened their midfield this summer with the signings of Blind and Herrera, both have impressed when they’ve been on the pitch but there’s a lack of depth with Michael Carrick the only other consistent performer in that group of midfielders. Fellaini has been on an upward slope this season but question marks hang over whether he is truly good enough, whilst Darren Fletcher looks like a man waiting to be put out of his misery before being escorted to a sunny, location where he can play out his remaining football days against lesser opposition in peace (it’s either that or being sold to West Brom). Strootman would be the complete midfielder United still seem to lack after all these years.

Chances of signing?

Given Roma’s success in the absence of Strootman this season, they are perhaps more willing to let one of their stars go, especially when doubt lingers over the status of his knee. Roma’s midfield is blessed with quality and strength in depth, one of the few sides that could deal with losing Strootman but they hold all the keys to this particular puzzle, as they are not in a situation where they have to sell any of their players and the race for the Serie A title this season looks set to go down to the wire. A fully recovered Strootman could make the difference for them.