LVG on fire-power

LONDON.- Louis van Gaal says he only wants Manchester United to sign the best striker in the world.

The Red Devils have looked short of fire-power in their opening three Premier League games scoring just two goals courtesy of an own goal and a deflection.

Van Gaal currently only has three senior strikers at his disposal in Wayne Rooney, Javier Hernandez and James Wilson.

They have been linked with moves for a number of top strikers this summer including Bayern Munich’s Thomas Muller, Barcelona’s Neymar and Paris St-Germain’s Edinson Cavani. But Van Gaal says he can also use Marouane Fellaini and Adnan Januzaj as forwards and believes only the best striker in the world would improve his squad.

“I have a lot of options,” the Dutchman said. I have chosen Chicharito, because he is another type from Rooney, and we have also Fellaini, who is another type, then I have Wilson and Januzaj, so I don’t think we need a striker.

“If he is the best striker in the world then, yes, we need him, but if he cannot contribute in our eyes, then we won’t buy any striker. But when he does, we shall buy.”

Van Gaal also believes that a world class player is not guaranteed to succeed at Old Trafford, highlighting the failures of Angel Di Maria and Radamel Falcao last season.

He added: “In a club like Manchester United, you never know that, because you have seen it for example with Falcao and Di Maria last season: great players, but they have to adapt to the culture of Manchester United.”

Meanwhile, Manchester United defender Luke Shaw is certain his side will bounce back from the disappointment of Saturday’s goalless draw against Newcastle United when they face Club Bruges in their Champions League qualifier. The Red Devils head to Belgium for the second leg tomorrow with a 3-1 lead over the Belgian champions, courtesy of a brace from new signing Memphis Depay.

But the Dutch forward was part of an attacking United unit who struggled to break down Newcastle at Old Trafford on Saturday, with striker Wayne Rooney again having a quiet game.

“We’ve got a game just around the corner (against Bruges) and I think it’s only good for us. We’ll get back up and try to win that game,” the 20-year-old Shaw told the club’s website(www.manutd.com). – The Daily Star.