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

9. Thomas Vermaelen

United were linked with other centre-back targets as well, and were somewhat surprisingly tipped to sign Arsenal misfit Thomas Vermaelen at one point in the summer. Vermaelen was surplus to requirements at Emirates Stadium having only made 14 Premier League appearances in 2013-14, and he came close to moving to Old Trafford. The Reds were locked in discussions with the Gunners over a deal for the Belgian centre-half but dropped their interest when the Londoners asked for Chris Smalling to be included as part-exchange in the proposed transfer. The news came as a double blow to fans as the defender moved to Barcelona instead and United were stuck with Smalling. Van Gaal should surely have ditched Smalling - who has yet to realise his potential at the club - if it meant signing someone of Vermaelen's qualities. The former Arsenal player would have solved a lot of United's problems because his versatility means he can also play at left-back, and Luke Shaw remains injured.