LOUIS VAN GAAL expects to make more additions to his Manchester United squad this summer after Memphis Depay’s arrival, but warned of increased competition for places next season.
United struck a deal to sign the Netherlands winger earlier this week, but Michael Carrick was later ruled out for the remainder of the season with a calf injury.
Van Gaal has thus outlined his desire to recruit a midfielder this summer, with the club heavily linked with a potential move for Borussia Dortmund star Ilkay Gundogan.
“Manchester United shall always react when it is necessary in our eyes,” Van Gaal told reporters. “He shall not play any more this season.
“We have only one right-sided holding midfielder. Our selection is not balanced, and I want to restore that in the next transfer period.
“The life is not ending at 34, but for a professional football player, it’s close by. That’s why I have to handle again in that position.”
Van Gaal admits that acquiring more players will only serve to increase competition amongst his squad, and claims that some players may wilt under such pressure.
“For some players it’s not like that — it’s too much pressure and they cannot cope sometimes. It’s always effects them. It’s not always very good,” he said. “It is not always good for every player because they have to cope with the pressure of not playing, to accept it and to train very hard in spite of that.”
