Edinson Cavani up front, Kevin Strootman in the middle, Mats Hummels and Luke Shaw at the back... is this how Man United could look under Louis van Gaal?

By Adam Shergold

Published: 07:52 EDT, 28 April 2014 | Updated: 18:57 EDT, 28 April 2014

Let the summer spending spree begin...

With Louis van Gaal the overwhelming favourite to take over at Old Trafford and the Glazer family expected to put up a £150million transfer kitty, Manchester United fans have already begun speculating about how their side will look come the opening day of next season.

With the Dutchman expected to clear out the deadwood at Old Trafford and bring in a host of new names, the rumour mill is already in overdrive.

Here's our guess at how United could look in August. Leave your own team suggestions in the comments section below.

Dream team: Manchester United fans can expect to see a few new faces if Louis van Gaal takes over in the summer, with Mats Hummels (left), Edinson Cavani (middle) and Kevin Strootman (right) on the shopping list

Frontrunner: Louis van Gaal is favourite to take over at Manchester United

WHO COULD COME IN?

EDINSON CAVANI
Club: Paris Saint-Germain Value: £55m-£60m

Cavani is well known to be unsettled at PSG, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic forcing him to play in a wider position than he would prefer in the attack.

The 27-year-old has struggled for form of late and failed to make an impact in the Champions League quarter-final defeat by Chelsea.

Frustrating times: £52m signing Cavani has been forced to play second fiddle to Zlatan Ibrahimovic at PSG

It is believed United's advisers are already in preliminary discussion with the Uruguayan's representatives and have sounded out PSG, who will not sell one of their key assets cheaply.

Cavani was the sixth most expensive player in the world when he joined PSG from Napoli for £52.7m just last summer and will be reluctant to let him go without making a bit of profit.

But if van Gaal can persuade the unhappy striker that he will enjoy being the centre of attention at Old Trafford, then it could prove easy, if expensive, business.

Eye for the spectacular: Cavani's exquisite volleyed finish against Sochaux at the weekend

LUKE SHAW
Club: Southampton Value: £30m

Shaw has been earmarked by United as the long-term replacement for Patrice Evra at left back and their faith in the 18-year-old is shown by their willingness to pay Southampton £30m for him.

The teenager has become a first-team regular for the Saints this season and is expected to be England's first choice in the years to come.

He is highly-rated and coveted by a number of leading European clubs, including Chelsea, Manchester City, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid.

It is believed Shaw would like assurances of a regular starting role under United's new manager before he puts pen to paper.

Long-term solution: Luke Shaw has been earmarked by United to replace Patrice Evra at left back

MATS HUMMELS
Club: Borussia Dortmund Value: £30m

Major surgery is required at the heart of United's defence, with Nemanja Vidic moving on to Inter Milan and Rio Ferdinand set to retire.

Dortmund's Hummels would be an ideal fit - already well established and a double Bundesliga winner, but, at 25, young enough to still have the prime years of his career ahead of him.

Hummels, who has 28 caps for Germany, is as comfortable striding forward out of defence and setting up an attack as he is at intercepting passes or heading the ball clear.

Rock solid: Dortmund's Mats Hummels (left) would be a safe choice at centre half for United

KEVIN STROOTMAN
Club: Roma Value: £17m

Strootman would be a worthy long-term replacement for Michael Carrick at the base of the midfield and van Gaal will know all about the Dutchman's qualities.

He can not only mop up in front of the defence but he contributes quite a number of assists too with his excellent passing range.

Having spent just £7m to sign Strootman from PSV Eindhoven last summer, Roma may be tempted to double their money with a bit of quick business.

One thing of concern would be the cruciate ligament injury that has kept him out since the middle of March.

Close ties: Kevin Strootman (left), currently out injured, sits with Holland coachVan Gaal and United striker Robin van Persie on a scouting mission at the match between PSV Eindhoven and Feyenoord this month

WHO WOULD RETAIN THEIR PLACE?

DAVID DE GEA

The Spanish keeper is one of the few United players to emerge from the David Moyes era with any credit, having improved his shot stopping and distribution.

He has overcome some initial teething problems to settle in Manchester and is one of the best keepers in the Premier League.

Commanding: David de Gea has matured into one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League

RAFAEL

The Brazilian right back signed a new four-year contract last summer and, though he can sometimes be a liability with his forward-thinking style, he is pretty secure in his position.

PHIL JONES

With the departure of the experienced Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic, you would expect Jones to step forward and fill the other vacant berth at centre half.

The England defender is just 22 and has plenty of time to mature into a rock solid centre-half.

MICHAEL CARRICK

Though the wrong side of 30, Carrick can still offer balance to United's team under van Gaal and is adept at chasing around and breaking up attacks.

His days of setting up goals on a regular basis seem to have passed as he gets deeper and deeper, but that could be left to Strootman.

Metronome: Michael Carrick remains consistent anchoring United's midfield but is getting deeper and deeper

JUAN MATA

Van Gaal must find a way of accommodating United's £37m January signing and he could fit in at the head of the midfield behind a front three as opposed to the wider positions Moyes liked to play him in.

The Spaniard's abilities are well documented and it would be tempting to give him a blank cheque to create goals, shoot from range and generally create mayhem.

Finding his stride: Juan Mata scored twice as United thrashed Norwich 4-0 on Saturday

ROBIN VAN PERSIE

After being left disappointed when Sir Alex Ferguson retired, Van Persie's injury problems resurfaced under Moyes and the devastating form of the previous season never returned.

But Van Gaal gets on very well with his compatriot, even going on scouting missions with him, and will know all the tricks to get the best out of him.

WAYNE ROONEY

There's absolutely no way Van Gaal will be able to drop the £300,000-a-week man and why would he anyway?

Rooney has 19 goals and 22 assists in all competitions this season and is in the form of his life. 

Peak of his powers: Wayne Rooney has been in excellent form this season despite United's travails

OTHER POSSIBILITIES

Toni Kroos
Club: Bayern Munich Value: £35m

Linked with United for some time now, Kroos would unquestionably be a fantastic addition to United's midfield. 

His passing is outstanding and is has been an integral cog of Bayern Munich's all-conquering team, which makes it unlikely they will sell.

But if Kroos is put up for sale, United would be in a good position. 

Pass master: United's interest in Bayern's Toni Kroos is well documented

Marco Reus
Club: Borussia Dortmund Value: £35m

Another ridiculously talented German linked to United for some time, he would fit in well with the club's tradition of fast, exciting wingers.

Dortmund are a successful team in danger of being picked apart and will do everything they can to retain him. 

But, like Kroos, the strength of United's interest would ensure they are front of the queue.

Speed and class: Dortmund's Marco Reus would be in the same mould as United's skilled wingers of the past