After playing out a rather inactive January transfer period this winter, Louis van Gaal and Manchester United have it all to do in order to keep their passionate fan-base adequately satisfied between now and the end of the season.

Although the Red Devils could still theoretically play a surprise role in the 2015/16 title race, the Old Trafford faithful have certainly suffered with their fair share of disappointing performances this season, with Louis van Gaal’s side looking short of confidence in front of goal.

High scoring matches have therefore been somewhat of a rarity for Manchester United of late, but as Everton’s Romelu Lukaku was nonetheless highlighted as a possible target for the Red Devils this January, maybe the long standing Premier League club are looking to remedy the issues in their current striking department as soon as physically possible.

[ffc-gal cat="manchester-united" no="5"]

So, must the Red Devils simply do all they can to finally land Romelu Lukaku this summer, or should Manchester United ultimately look elsewhere before the start of the 2016/17 campaign?

As Louis van Gaal’s side have gone down as long-term admirers of the big Belgian centre-forward in transfer windows past, surely it wouldn’t be all that surprising to witness Manchester United launch yet another attempt at signing the current Goodison Park favourite in the not too distant future.

Put in no uncertain terms whatsoever, Romelu Lukaku represents the perfect candidate for the Old Trafford bosses to cast their eye over this summer, even if the Red Devils are eventually forced to pay close to £40million for the striker’s clearly in-demand services.

The rapidly emerging front-man has scored goals in the Premier League for several consecutive seasons now, his proficiency in front of goal has become more and more reliable with every passing campaign – and at the impressive age of only 22-years-old – this is a player who is going to thrive in the highest level of English football for many years to come.

If Manchester United are therefore forced to pay through the nose for Romelu Lukaku this summer, the Old Trafford faithful can nonetheless see it as a long term investment that is almost guaranteed to bring improved results straight off the bat. The Red Devils haven’t been unwilling to take on such bold transfer plans in the past of course, so it seems as if this upcoming summer won't likely prove any different with all things considered.

However, although this particular move would easily make sense from Manchester United’s point of view, Everton and the determined Goodison Park supporters would probably share a very different take on the situation. In simple terms, why would the Toffees ever want to give up on such a prized asset after breaking their own club transfer record in order to acquire his services in the first place?

The Red Devils will simply have a massive task on their hands in eventually prizing Romelu Lukaku away from Goodison Park this summer, especially as the player in question seems more than settled in his current environment, and is clearly suffering no trouble when it comes to producing the goods for his side out on the pitch.

WANT MORE? >> Man United transfer news | Latest transfer news

If Manchester United really want to make Lukaku theirs before the start of the 2016/17 campaign, then the once dominant English club are going to have to show it financially. Although no fan wants to see their side performing dramatic panic-buys in order to secure their immediate future, the Red Devils have been left no choice after failing to replace Robin van Persie last summer.

In-fact, Louis van Gaal’s club potentially risk falling behind their closest Premier League rivals if the squad isn’t strengthened down at Old Trafford sooner rather than later, especially as Manchester City will be operating with Pep Guardiola in the dug-out next term, with the Reds Devils possibly forced to make do with the Europa League without a top-four finish on the table.

Romelu Lukaku subsequently represents a player worthy of restoring the good times back at Old Trafford over the course of next season, and while Everton won’t likely give up their star performer without a fight, Manchester United simply watch over all the necessary resources to make the striker theirs this summer if they really want to.

[ad_pod id='football-survey' align='center']

[ad_pod id='writeforus' align='center']