Not many people predicted that Manchester United would be about to miss out on the top four again, but even fewer people will have predicted that Jamie Vardy and Leicester City would be the stars of this Premier League season.

Memphis Depay's difficulties in settling in the Premier League have left Manchester United very short up front and the most successful club in the history of English football look like they are heading into a period of turmoil once more.

Since the last days of Alex Ferguson, Manchester United have looked like a club in decline and that theme is clearly continuing well into 2016 as Louis van Gaal drags the Red Devils through the mire.

To think that they have gone from Ronaldo, Rooney and Tevez to a struggling Depay and a completely tedious style of football that Ferguson would be ashamed of must infuriate Manchester United fans, but nothing is changing quickly at the club and there is growing pressure on the board to invest.

Here are FIVE reasons that Vardy would be the perfect addition...

Depay flops

Memphis Depay 2

Memphis is yet to reveal the quality that saw United invest so much money in the flying Dutchman and the signing of Vardy would at least take a bit of the pressure off the ex-PSV man.

If Depay does begin to perform, the prospect of he and Vardy counter attacking together is mouth watering.

Roon's balding age

Rooney

He might be having a recent upturn in his form, but the last 12 months have demonstrated how close Wayne Rooney is to the end of his career and the United attack is in dire need of some extra energy in the final third.

G.Nev's pace rants

Neville

Despite his flopping career in Spain, Gary Neville has a point about the requirement for pace and power in English football and Jamie Vardy would bring both.

As the United side currently looks sluggish and unable to break down sides, Vardy would bring a direct game that can terrorise the opposition.

Crest of a wave

Jamie Vardy (centre)

Vardy and United are on opposite trajectories right now and the flying Leicester forward might help to counter act Van Gaal's dying squad.

Appeasing Trafford

Old Trafford

As the fans are showing more and more discontent with the current regime, Van Gaal needs some movement from the club to appease the angry mob.

Vardy might not be glamorous, but an expensive signing could calm the fans.