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Incoming boss Louis van Gaal has been ordered to take Manchester United back to the top of English football after David Moyes' ill-fated reign.

The Dutchman - who is set to be appointed next week - has been tasked with repairing the damage of this season which has seen the club suffer a £35million hit after missing out on the Champions League.

Vice chairman Ed Woodward said the Old Trafford board expect an immediate return to the top four and warned the next manager will have to "absolutely get straight back in the Champions League next season. You will see this reflected in the transfer market."

However, our man Martin Lipton thinks Van Gaal is now already under pressure, thanks to the blueprint issued by Woodward.

He writes: "So there you are, Louis van Gaal. No pressure. Just wave a magic wand to turn everything round from last season.

"If the Dutch veteran did not know what was expected of him before, he knows now."

United midfielder Juan Mata has praised the mental toughness of goalkeeper David de Gea after his excellent season.

De Gea initially struggled at Old Trafford after making a £19million switch from Atletico Madrid but was named the club's Player of the Year this season and Mata believes he is now able to deal with the pressure that comes with his position.

He said: "He has huge faith in himself, which is a really important virtue. He doesn't let anything affect him.

"The day he makes a mistake he knows he has made a mistake but it never sinks him. He uses it to make sure that he doesn't make the mistake next time. It's a great quality. He's very calm."

(Image: Lennart Preiss)

Friday's Manchester United stories from other newspapers and websites

According to the Guardian, Van Gaal has handed Ed Woodward an A, B and C list of desired players.

The prime targets are Bayern Munich's Arjen Robben - who is part of Van Gaal's Dutch squad for the World Cup, his club-mate Thomas Muller and Borussia Dortmund's Mats Hummels.

Luke Shaw and Toni Kroos - both identified as targets during Moyes' tenure - have also been approved.

Meanwhile, the Express reports the Red Devils have launched a £25million bid for Roma's Kevin Strootman.

The Dutchman has also worked with Van Gaal in the international set-up although a serious knee injury means he will sit out the World Cup.

That won't stop United trying to force through a move with the incoming boss identifying Strootman as the man to reinvigorate the midfield at Old Trafford.

Roma however are reluctant to sell and will demand a fee in excess of £30million.

Another of Van Gaal's international squad Stefan de Vrij is at the centre of a three-way transfer battle, reports the Daily Star.

United look set to go head-to-head with Liverpool and Tottenham for the 22-year-old defender, who currently plies his trade at Feyenoord.

De Vrij will feature at the World Cup where he will get the chance to impress his potential suitors.

Newly-promoted Leicester City are lining up a move for Nick Powell, according to the Express.

The England Under-21 international has spent the last season on loan at Wigan after failing to nail down a first-team spot at his parent club.

And Foxes' boss Nigel Pearson is keen to snap him up in a cut-price deal, having already brought in ex-United youngsters Danny Drinkwater, Richie De Laet and Matty James in recent years.