Van Gaal admits summer transfer market has been difficult for Man United

Posted Wednesday, August 06, 2014 by Talksport.co.uk

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal admits it has not been easy to buy players this summer - but claims the Red Devils are still working on a number of transfer deals.

The Premier League side have signed Southampton's Luke Shaw, Athletic Bilbao's Ander Herrera and Serbian youngster Vanja Milinkovic already this summer, but are believed to be in the market for as many as three more big-money signings.

Arsenal's Thomas Vermaelen and Borussia Dortmund centre-back Mats Hummels are the club's top targets, although signing the latter is proving hard because the German club have already lost one star this summer in Robert Lewandowski, who joined bitter rivals Bayern Munich.

The Dutchman has admitted he wants to sign new defenders before the season starts, but he concedes landing his targets will prove hard.

"Manchester United shall buy players when we can improve our selection," the United manager said. "And that is a lot more difficult than you think."

Another priority for Van Gaal is cutting loose the players he deems surplus to requirements.

Those who are surely in the most danger include Javier Hernandez, Nani, Shinji Kagawa, Marouane Fellaini and Anderson.

Van Gaal will not enjoy telling his unwanted players they have no future at the club, but he will not shirk away from making the changes he feels are necessary either.

"I won't come with the axe - it's not like that," Van Gaal said.

"We have to be honest. We have to give advice to the players now at this moment and not at the end of August. Then we can't change anymore and they don't have a choice.

"Of course it's difficult to say something after two weeks but I think you have to say something."