Rebuild won’t come cheap

Having been battered from pillar to post for his failures in last summer’s transfer window, Ed Woodward’s promise of a fluid budget for the new Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal represents a rigid dichotomy between the approach under David Moyes, even if such grand promises could easily become the sword Woodward falls upon.

After years of Glazernomics, with the emphasis on paying off mounting debts rather than investing enough in a creaking squad, Woodward’s comments confirm further the expectancy of an instant response to last season’s rolling mess.

But if money really is no object, who will Van Gaal attempt to bring in?

They have already paid over the odds for Luke Shaw — an 18-year-old defender should not command a fee of £30m (€37.9m) irrespective of nationality — and £28.5m (€36m) for Ander Herrera, who was nowhere near Spain’s World Cup squad.

Woodward’s claim of “significant funds” being available also gives selling clubs additional bargaining power, so expect United to also pay over the odds on whoever they acquire next.

The loss of their three most experienced defenders — Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand and Patrice Evra — points to defensive reinforcements being the number one priority, especially when you consider Van Gaal favours playing three centre-halves with two wing-backs.

Chris Smalling, Phil Jones and Jonny Evans is nowhere near sufficient.

Arsenal’s Thomas Vermaelen and Borussia Dortmund’s World Cup winner Mats Hummels have both been targeted but neither will come cheaply, while Van Gaal is also keen on bringing Stefan de Vrij in from Feyenoord.

The Eredivisie club have confirmed they would be willing to let De Vrij leave for the right price but have already rejected a bid from Lazio.

In the case of Vermaelen, Arsene Wenger is understood to want either Smalling or Jones, who he both attempted to sign before they moved to United, along with a fee — so Vermaelen would be viewed as an upgrade rather than an addition if either of the England internationals move in the opposite direction.

Hummels is understood to be top of Van Gaal’s list but Dortmund manager Jurgen Klopp has rebuked talk of the German being allowed to leave, though that could be perceived as an attempt to increase the asking price.

Elsewhere, the problem in central midfield remains and must be rectified if a title challenge is to materialise and while United deny that they have approached Juventus with a view to signing Chile’s Arturo Vidal, he is a definite target.

While Michael Carrick and Tom Cleverley are easy scapegoats — they do not compliment each other well and require a physically commanding partner — Vidal would provide much needed tenacity in midfield.

He is likely to cost £40m (€50.6m) but it must be noted that there should also be some outgoings, with Bebe and Anderson immediately shunted to the periphery by Van Gaal.

United are better stocked when it comes to attacking players but might be tempted into submitting a bid for Angel Di Maria, who has become surplus to requirements at Real Madrid now James Rodriguez has arrived.

Di Maria topped La Liga’s assist list last season and, in a team full of egotists, his quiet work in a deeper midfield role often deserved more credit.

But he is the most likely makeweight now the Colombian has landed, much like Mesut Ozil last season, and while expensive, would work well in United’s system.