IT WAS mission accomplished for Louis van Gaal in his first season in charge at Manchester United.

Having failed to qualify for the Champions League following a disastrous 2013/14 campaign under David Moyes, Van Gaal guided United to a top-four finish at the first time of asking.

But the Dutchman doesn’t have time to rest on his laurels with his next target to once again have United challenging for the league title.

And to do that the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich coach has continued from where he left off last summer, rebuilding the ageing squad left behind following the departure of Alex Ferguson.

Out have gone Robin van Persie, Nani, Radamel Falcao and several youth players who have failed to make the grade.

Angel Di Maria also looks set to leave United after just one season and head across the channel to join Paris Saint-Germain. And there are also still concerns over the long-term futures of David de Gea.

But despite continuing interest from Real Madrid, the Spanish keeper probably looks like he will start the season as a United player.

Having been heavily criticised since taking over from David Gill, United’s chief executive Ed Woodward has recently been lauded by fans after the business the club has done so far during this transfer window.

Italian international right-back Matteo Darmian, Dutch winger Memphis Depay, German captain Bastian Schweinsteiger, French midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin and Argentina goalkeeper Sergio Romero will add much needed quality in key areas of the pitch.

But there is still room for improvement as Van Gaal looks to strengthen further with a marquee signing, particularly in the centre of defence and in attack with big names such as Real Madrid’s Sergio Ramos, Valencia’s Nicolas Otamendi, Paris Saint-Germain’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Edison Cavani & Barcelona’s Pedro all linked to the club.

Van Gaal had hoped to have all his transfer business done prior to setting off on their pre-season tour of the United States to avoid a repeat of last summer.

The United manager was critical following the lack of preparation time before the season kicked off which included a gruelling 13,000 mile round trip in two weeks.

And having registered just 13 points from their opening 10 games, Van Gaal insisted that this pre-season be more condensed which also meant dropping the usual friendly at Old Trafford.

Instead the Reds have travelled to the US where they have notched up victories over Mexican side Club America, MLS side San Jose Earthquake and Champions League holders Barcelona seeing them unbeaten on their tour thus far.

They will face Paris Saint-Germain in the early hours of Thursday morning before flying home to prepare for their opening Premier League fixture against Tottenham at Old Trafford on August 8.