TITLE WIN PRICE FOR LVG SPREE
SUPERMAC ASH ATTACK
LOUIS VAN GAAL will be told he must make Manchester United champions next season if the club are going to embark on another massive spending spree.
United are planning to follow last summer’s unprecedented £150million blow-out on another mind-boggling blitz of the transfer market.
But Van Gaal will be warned that the spending spree will come at a price.
Last summer, when United were looking for a successor to David Moyes, senior club sources made it clear that the new man would be expected to win the title.
That target was reassessed when Van Gaal held discussions with vicechairman Ed Woodward and the club’s American owners.
The Dutchman insisted he would only take the job if he was given time to rebuild the team - and that he could not be expected to deliver anything more than a top-four finish. He is now close to keeping his promise.
And despite spending a fortune recruiting Angel Di Maria, Luke Shaw, Ander Herrera, Daley Blind, Marcos Rojo, Radamel Falcao and Victor Valdes last year, the Reds are ready to hit the transfer market with a vengeance again.
Gareth Bale tops the Old Trafford wish-list, with Van Gaal also in the market for Mats Hummels, Ilkay Gundogan, Memphis Depay and Nathaniel Clyne.
Those targets would cost close to £200m – and United’s hierarchy will demand value for money.
Van Gaal, who has two years left on the contract he signed last summer, has said he will deliver the title before his deal expires.
But his United bosses will expect the Premier League trophy to return to Old Trafford next season if they land their targets. TOON legend Malcolm Macdonald is urging Newcastle fans boycotting the game against West Brom on Saturday to follow non-League minnows North Shields in their bid for Wembley glory.
Supermac (below) is president of the Northern League side, who will face Glossop United in the FA Vase Final.
He said: “I’d say to Newcastle fans to come to Wembley, support a local team, and have a wonderful day out.
“Let’s face it, it will be a hell of a long time before you go to see Newcastle at Wembley under this regime.
“I just feel heartily sorry for the supporters who love the club. But if your owner doesn’t want to win anything, or qualify for Europe, what’s the point?” to discuss taking over at St James’ Park immediately to stop Newcastle sliding into the Championship.
Derby missed out on a play-off spot after losing 3-0 at home to Reading.
McClaren has been owner Ashley’s No.1 choice since Pardew left but he was reluctant to quit Derby at that stage. He has also been unsure about the meddling of the board and wants assurances about a say in transfer targets and no match day interference.
Toon were thinking about making this move in the last week but events yesterday have forced them to act. Judging by his comments, Carver has clearly lost the dressing room.
McClaren will want Carver to stay and his position will be assessed in the summer.
Fans crowded around the Newcastle team bus after the game to voice their anger at another “spineless” display, and Carver admitted he “couldn’t disagree” with their assessment after seeing his side concede 36 seconds into the first half.
His biggest criticism came for Williamson, who picked up a