United are attempting to secure the signings of at least two players before the World Cup begins next month, with a £27 million bid lodged for Southampton’s England full-back Luke Shaw. There is also confidence within Old Trafford that a deal can be struck with Bayern Munich for midfielder Toni Kroos before he departs for Brazil with the Germany. With United not competing in Europe next season, however, there is the prospect of Van Gaal operating with a smaller squad than the pool of players left behind by Moyes.