Before the start of the World Cup, many fans were unsure of Louis van Gaal being appointted as Manchester United boss. But after the Dutchman’s success in leading the Netherlands to the World Cup semi-finals, no Red Devil supporter is questioning the decision.

And Van Gaal has already moved quick in the transfer market, having secured the signing of Spanish midfielder Ander Herrera and Southampton wonderkid Luke Shaw.

With the promise of change next season, there is no doubt that Man United will sign more players in the upcoming weeks. Could any of these be stars that have featured in the World Cup?

This article will take a look into Group G, where the ever consistent Germans topped the group followed by the surprising United States. Portugal and Ghana were the knocked from the tournament, but were there any from those two teams that could have impressed the incoming Red Devils manager?

Here are SIX WORLD CUP STARS Manchester United should sign from Group G.

Schweinsteiger

[/ffc-gallery]

Mats Hummels

Mats Hummels

Age: 25

Club: Borussia Dortmund

Position: CB

Nationality: Germany

Estimated Value: £25million

Mats Hummels has been a Man United target for the past few months and it’s no surprise why, as the centre-back is one of the world’s best at his position.

With the departure of Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand, the Red Devils are in need of a central defender capable of replacing the legendary duo and there aren’t many better than Hummels in doing so.

The 25-year-old is strong in the air, good at the tackle, and composed on the ball. United have already launched a £20million bid for the defender, but it is likely Dortmund will be demanding more for the German.

Bastian Schweinsteiger

Schweinsteiger

Age: 29

Club: Bayern Munich

Position: CM

Nationality: Germany

Estimated Value: £30million

Louis van Gaal has expressed that his midfielders do not have the required quality to win the Premier League, and has the quick signing of Ander Herrera to show for it. Another long-term target for the former Bayern Munich boss is Bastian Schweinsteiger, who would easily become the first name of the United team-sheet.

Schweinsteiger is the complete central midfielder: good on the ball, accurate with his pass and able to unleash a strike from distance.

The German international would not come cheap, with a bid of at least £30million required before the Bundesliga champions even consider a transfer.

Pepe

Pepe

Age: 31

Club: Real Madrid

Position: CB

Nationality: Portugal

Estimated Value: £20million

If United want to replace Nemanja Vidic with a like-for-like alternative, coach Louis van Gaal should consider a swoop for Real Madrid and Portugal centre-back Pepe.

Pepe is currently a target for nearby rivals Manchester City, and will not want to let such a solid defender join the current Premier League champions.

The 31-year-old only has two years left on his Real Madrid contract, which could be seen as the perfect opportunity for United to snap up the usually rough no-nonsense defender.

Joao Moutinho

Moutinho

Age: 27

Club: Monaco

Position: CM

Nationality: Portugal

Estimated Value: £28million

It would be a major coup for Manchester United if they were to sign Monaco midfielder Joao Moutinho, who has been a long-term target for the Red Devils.

The diminutive Portuguese is one of the best at his position, able to pass the ball accurately all over the pitch but also contribute to his team defensively. He may not chip it with as many goals, but he has a huge hand in creating them as the deep-lying playmaker.

He may have only joined Monaco last summer, but that won’t stop the United hierarchy who’ll jump if he was available for £28million.

Julien Green

//www.youtube.com/embed/piw48lZhsDA

Age: 19

Club: Bayern Munich

Position: RW

Nationality: United States

Estimated Value: £5million

Julian Green was one of the surprise additions to the USA national side, but his extra-time goal against Belgium proved that he is a talent worth keeping an eye on, or even investing in.

Currently employed by Bayern Munich, Green didn’t get much game-time with the German champions and United could certainly make a £5million swoop for the American winger.

Green has represented the ‘mighty’ Germans in their youth levels and would be a great back-up (just like Januzaj) to the likes of Juan Mata and Wayne Rooney.

William Carvalho

William Carvalho

Age: 22

Club: Sporting Lisbon

Position: CM

Nationality: Portugal

Estimated Value: £37million

Out of all Man United’s transfer targets in Group F, Portugal midfielder William Carvalho has been most heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford this summer.

The midfielder had a break-out season with Sporting Lisbon and showcased his class when featuring for Portugal during the World Cup, in which he combined intelligent passing with a strong physical presence.

Sporting have slapped a £37million price-tag on the 22-year-old anchorman, but United sees him as the perfect foil to Ander Herrera and will do all they can to sign the Portuguese this summer.