Man Utd Transfers: 10 Signings Louis Van Gaal Should Have Made

9. Ezequiel Garay

It's easy to forget but at one point this summer Manchester United were also interested in signing Ezequiel Garay. The Argentinian centre-back has been on United's radar for the last few transfer windows and their interest in the commanding defender dates back to the Sir Alex Ferguson administration. Last summer, United were reported to have signed the player, and had even agreed a £14 million fee with his club at the time, Benfica. Nothing came of it but the interest continued, with the Red Devils tipped to sign him in the January transfer window as well. Again, the move failed to come to fruition and the South American continued to be linked with a switch to Old Trafford through the summer. But in the end, United's dithering allowed Zenit St-Petersburg to steal a march on them in the race for Garay and he joined the Russian side back in June. Like Hummels, Garay would have been a terrific signing with his physically imposing stature, take-no-nonsense style of play and defensive leadership qualities making him seem like the natural successor to Rio Ferdinand. Had van Gaal been able to sign Garay and Hummels this summer, he would have had the best centre-back partnership in England.