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Manchester United Target Arjen Robben - Transfer Gossip

Red Robben? United Target Another Van Gaal Disciple
Samuel Luckhurst

With the Toni Kroos and Luke Shaw signings likely to be announced before the World Cup, Manchester United are now reportedly eyeing another Louis van Gaal disciple in Arjen Robben.

The Dutch winger was brought to Bayern Munich by Van Gaal in 2009 and scored two memorable goals against Fiorentina and United in the Champions League knockout stage en route to that season's final. He will also start alongside Robin van Persie for Van Gaal at the World Cup.

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Robben has been a scourge of United with Bayern

United have several areas that need addressing in their squad but for a club that has prided itself on its wingers, the current lot are the worst in decades. Antonio Valencia, with the exception of a four-month spell, has been abysmal since suffering stage fright at the 2011 Champions League final, Ashley Young has never been good enough, Nani is just as erratic as he was when he arrived at the club and Wilfried Zaha could represent a waste of £15 million.

Robben was actually pictured taking a tour of Carrington in the 2003-04 season, however that was the first year nouveaux riches Chelsea enjoyed Roman Abramovich's roubles, and they gazumped United even when Claudio Ranieri was their manager.

And that is the downside. Robben is 30, rather than 20, and only signed a new three-year contract a matter of months ago at the Allianz Arena.

Possible Van Gaal signings
Mats Hummels, Borussia Dortmund(01 of11)
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With Marco Reus and İlkay Gündoğan both remaining in Dortmund for at least another year, the Yellow and Blacks' biggest sale could be defender Hummels. He left Bayern Munich the same year Van Gaal joined the club - albeit when Jupp Heynckes was in caretaker charge - and Van Gaal would relish working with one young player that got away.United need a defensive distributor to complement the hulking Chris Smalling at centre-back, and Hummels is an excellent footballer capable of instigating attacks. (credit:Getty Images)
Edinson Cavani, PSG(02 of11)
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United have not hid their interest in Cavani, although talk of a move has quietened down since it became apparent Van Gaal would definitely take over a few weeks ago. All four of United's strikers considered leaving at some point last season, though, so a new forward would at least draw a line under the Moyes error. (credit:Getty Images)
Arjen Robben, Holland(03 of11)
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Van Gaal brought eight Dutch players to Barcelona when he coached there, so it would be a surprise if Robin van Persie is not joined by a compatriot at Old Trafford this summer.United need a winger and irrespective of how predictable he is, Arjen Robben is still incredibly effective. The 30-year-old only signed a two-year extension until 2017 this year, although he has spent five years in Germany, won everything, and might be attracted by a return to the Premier League under Van Gaal. United tried to sign him 10 years ago. (credit:Getty Images)
Kevin Strootman, Roma(04 of11)
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Out injured until October, Strootman was scouted by United last year but Moyes, being Moyes, dithered and the Dutchman excelled in Rome.United's midfield is experiencing a five-year malaise and needs addressing immediately, though, so while his steely silkiness would be welcomed, an October start date is perhaps too late. (credit:Getty Images)
Xavi, Barcelona(05 of11)
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Although he is contracted to Barcelona until 2016, Xavi could leave this summer and has offers from both the US and England. Van Gaal gave him his Barça debut - aptly, at Old Trafford - in 1998 and could turn to an experienced head to steady United's midfield misery. (credit:Getty Images)
Luke Shaw, Southampton(06 of11)
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Shaw will almost certainly join United this summer, despite Ashley Cole's announcement he will leave Shaw's boyhood club, Chelsea, on Tuesday. (credit:Getty Images)
William Carvalho, Sporting Lisbon(07 of11)
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A player who would have almost certainly joined United had Moyes remained in charge, Carvalho would bring some much needed zeal and steel to a midfield laden with strikers. But does Van Gaal want him? (credit:Getty Images)
Jordy Clasie, Feyenoord(08 of11)
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Another Dutchman, it was Clasie's Paul Scholes-like vision which made Robin van Persie's sensational chest-and-volley against Ecuador possible at the weekend. A young, Dutch midfielder and a Van Gaal favourite, he fits the bill. (credit:Getty Images)
Juan Cuadrado, Fiorentina(09 of11)
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RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - JUNE 28: Juan Guillermo Cuadrado of Colombia celebrates his team's second goal scored by James Rodriguez (L) during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil round of 16 match between Colombia and Uruguay at Maracana on June 28, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) (credit:Clive Rose via Getty Images)
Angel di María, Real Madrid(10 of11)
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SAO PAULO, BRAZIL - JULY 01: Angel di Maria of Argentina celebrates scoring his team's first goal in extra time during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Round of 16 match between Argentina and Switzerland at Arena de Sao Paulo on July 1, 2014 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) (credit:Julian Finney via Getty Images)
Arturo Vidal, Juventus(11 of11)
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Juventus' midfielder Arturo Vidal celebrates after scoring during the UEFA Europa League football match Juventus vs Fiorentina on March 13, 2014 at the Juventus Stadium in Turin. AFP PHOTO / MARCO BERTORELLO (Photo credit should read MARCO BERTORELLO/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:AFP via Getty Images)
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