A Manchester United alternative XI of players that Ed Woodward failed to sign

Let's put our hypothetical hats on and say that Louis van Gaal is sacked between now and the start of next season.

What's to stop the next Manchester United manager going the same route as the Dutchman? Executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward must come in for some flak for his role in United's fall from title-challenging grace to struggling to earn a top four place. There are top players at Old Trafford, of course there are, but the Red Devils have undeniably failed to live up to their track record of being powerhouses in the transfer market. Top prospect after top prospect has been linked with United but something happens. Something always happens. And the player goes elsewhere. Here is an entire team that could have been fielded if Ed Woodward had gotten his men. GK - There was never any danger of David De Gea losing his place between the sticks but when all roadsigns pointed towards the Bernabeu last summer, Hugo Lloris was being pegged as the man to replace him. Alas, a paperwork error ensured another season of David De Gea and Lloris stayed put. RB - Dani Alves' Barcelona contract was running up and rumours abounded that his desire to try something new would have paved the way for a United approach. The club were reportedly interested but, instead, settled for Torino right back Matteo Darmian. CB - Nothing will sting more than the fact that Nicolas Otamendi was snatched from right under United's noses by their noisy neighbours. At some stages last summer, the former Valencia centre-half was nailed on to set up shop alongside Chris Smalling. Mats Hummels was also linked with a move before new Borussia Dortmund manager Thomas Tuchel convinced him to stay. LB - When David Moyes began fumbling the reins after Alex Ferguson's retirement, Leighton Baines was seen as the player he'd be bringing with him. It wasn't to be and Luke Shaw came instead but the back-up at left back has been a cause for concern all season due to Shaw's injury. MF- A whole host of midfielders have been connected with Manchester United since 2013. Arturo Vidal was one of their top targets but he decided to take an offer from Bayern Munich. Thiago Alcantara was another who flirted heavily with Woodward, before falling back into Pep Guardiola's arms. One of Louis van Gaal's first decisions at Manchester United was to reportedly veto moves for both Cesc Fabregas and Toni Kroos, in favour of Angel di Maria. That worked out great, didn't it? RW - Gareth Bale had apparently been seriously considering a switch to Old Trafford but the chaotic set-up, coupled with new Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane, has ended up with him changing his mind. LW - Pedro was very much along the lines of Nicolas Otamendi, a sure thing! Well in football, and Ed Woodward's office, there is no such thing as a sure thing. Pedro moved to Chelsea, making Woodward's trip to Barcelona nothing more than a waste of time. CF - Louis van Gaal has long been an admirer of Thomas Muller and he was initially being pegged as the man to cure United's shyness in front of goal. Not a month goes by without United "reigniting" their interest in the German international but he maintains that he's going nowhere soon.