Louis van Gaal’s first season in charge at Manchester United brought with it a fair share of highs and lows, but ultimately the Old Trafford faithful are, on the whole, happy with a top-four finish and qualification for next season’s Champions League.

Ahead of 2015/16, ambitions will be raised slightly higher and a title challenge will be expected of the Red Devils after another transfer window of rebuilding.

There is certainly an argument that United need to bolster their contingent with the acquisition of a new centre-half, right-back and central midfielder, but another position seems like a real priority for the historic outfit.

Despite possessing strikers with big reputations, the Old Trafford side’s attack was nowhere near as potent as Van Gaal or the club’s fans would have hoped last term.

Radamel Falcao was brought to Manchester on a loan deal that promised to freshen up the side’s forward line, but instead the Colombian suffered from a lack of confidence and had problems adapting to Premier League football. The former Porto frontman has now returned to Monaco - albeit he may be set to join Chelsea - leaving a gap in Van Gaal’s squad.

Robin van Persie was expected to be one of the players to benefit most from the appointment of his countryman, but the Netherlands international appears to be a fading force. Injury concerns limited the ex-Arsenal man’s time on the pitch in 2014/15, while the veteran no longer seems as dangerous a number nine as he was when he signed for United.

With question marks over Van Persie’s future at the club also emerging in the press, Wayne Rooney remains the only proven striker guaranteed to be at Old Trafford next season from the current crop.

The England international was undoubtedly United’s best attacking option last season, despite the fact that he was deployed in midfield on man occasions by Van Gaal.

However, a worrying statistic highlights the Red Devils’ need for a new predatory centre forward that can deliver goals on a consistent basis and take some of the pressure of the club captain’s shoulders.

Rooney ended last term as United’s top scorer with 12 Premier League strikes, but this was his lowest tally for a number of seasons.

With the 29-year-old’s future potentially being in a deeper role where he can influence affairs more with his ability on the ball and vision, this would rob United of the side’s main attacking weapon in the centre of their attack.

Memphis Depay has been added to the squad ahead of next season and hopes will be high that the young Dutch forward can be a goalscoring sensation in England.

However, despite finishing last term as the Eredivisie’s top marksman, the ex-PSV Eindhoven prodigy will be deployed in a wide attacking role rather than through the middle.

A proven number nine that can deliver close to 20 goals will be needed if United are to win the title next season, with a shake up of the team’s attack a pre-requisite.

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