We may still be one month, one week and two days away from the opening weekend of the 2015/16 Premier League campaign – yes, we’re ticking off pretty much every hour here at Football Fancast – but some clubs’ starting Xis for next season are already beginning to take shape.

Manchester United, for example, have only added Memphis Depay so far but at this point their alleged transfer targets are relatively indisputable, as are the current first teamers likely to retain their places in the starting Xi for next season.

So with everybody here at Football Fancast Towers growing increasingly desperate for the new season to begin, we’ve decided to slow down our withdrawal symptoms by considering what the Red Devils’ starting line-up might look like when they take on Tottenham on August 8th.

Would this XI trounce the north Londoners? Or perhaps more importantly, is this XI capable of claiming next season’s Premier League title?

GOALKEEPER – HUGO LLORIS

With David De Gea’s long-awaited departure to Real Madrid seemingly inevitable, Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris has been billed as the PFA Player of the Year nominee’s likely replacement.

The 28 year-old seems more than capable of filling the void; he’s captain of the France national team and has continually demonstrated world-class shot stopping abilities since arriving at White Hart Lane in summer 2012, last season making the most saves – an impressive 89 – of any goalkeeper in the Premier League’s top six.

Tottenham are understandably reluctant to sell, however, especially to a divisional rival, and allegedly value Lloris at a whopping £40million. They also intend to appoint him as captain next season to convince him to stay in north London.

Resultantly, they’ve been linked to an alternative in Ajax and Netherlands No.1 Jasper Cillessen.

RIGHT BACK – SEAMUS COLEMAN

The Red Devils have already missed out on a number of prominent right-backs this summer; particularly, Sevilla’s Aleix Vidal, now of Barcelona, Catalan team-mate Dani Alves, who extended his Nou Camp contract, and Liverpool signing Nathaniel Clyne.

But there’s still one option on their radar that The Daily Mail claim is now at the top of Louis van Gaal’s wishlist – Everton’s marauding No.2 Seamus Coleman.

LVG elected for midfielder Antonio Valencia over Rafael last term and the Ireland international is of a similar mould, having begun his career as a winger but since emerged as one of the top attacking right-backs in the Premier League.

He’s got pace and power in abundance but most impressive is the 26 year-old’s output; nine goals and four assists in 71 appearances over the last two campaigns.

The Telegraph claim the Toffees have identified Leeds youngster Sam Byram as Coleman’s replacement, suggesting a summer move is likely.

CENTRE-BACK – SERGIO RAMOS

A few weeks ago, Sergio Ramos seemed destined for a long and successful career at Real Madrid, before eventually retiring as one of the greatest defenders and servants in the club’s history.

But following the rather bizarre news that the Spain international offered himself to Barcelona a few months ago, he’s now a priority Manchester United target and apparently desperate to escape the Bernabeu as soon as possible.

Louis van Gaal has spent the last two summers searching for a highly-experienced ball-playing centre-back with irrefutable pedigree and the 2010 World Cup winner, famed for his ability to contribute going forward and occasional goals, fits the bill perfectly.

The only issue is price-tag, especially considering Ramos is now 29 years of age. Earlier this week, United launched a £28.6million bid; but Los Blancos allegedly value their star defender at a ridiculous £63million.

CENTRE-BACK – MARCOS ROJO

In truth, any of Manchester United’s centre-backs could pair up with Sergio Ramos next season, with the exception of transfer-bound Jonny Evans. Chris Smalling produced some fantastic displays towards the end of last season and Phil Jones has just signed a new contract.

But purely for his left foot and compatibility with Louis van Gaal’s preferred style of play, we’re going for Marcos Rojo.

The 25 year-old struggled upon his initial arrival in the Premier League last summer but grew as the season went on, eventually finishing up with 2.4 tackles, 2.5 interceptions, 6.3 clearances and 2.4 successful aerial duels per match.

Of course, the versatile defender could find himself utilised more regularly at left-back next season, which bring us onto…

LEFT BACK – LUKE SHAW

It was a turbulent first twelve months for Luke Shaw at Manchester United, disrupted by recurring injuries and concerns over his fitness.

But the England international’s great potential was evident on enough occasions and after moving to Old Trafford for a record-breaking fee for both a teenager and a full-back last summer – a whopping £30million – Louis van Gaal will be determined to get his money’s worth.

Still just 19 years of age, the attacking full-back has a huge future ahead of him.

HOLDING MIDFIELD – MORGAN SCHNEIDERLIN

Michael Carrick will almost certainly be a resident figure at Old Trafford next season, but Manchester United are on the hunt for a long-term successor to England international this summer, having often struggled in his absence last term.

And according to the tabloids, that’s thrust them towards Southampton midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin, who has emerged as one of the top enforcers in the Premier League since the club’s top flight ascension in 2012, last season averaging the second-most tackles per-match, 3.7, of any player in the division.

The France international lacks Carrick’s definitive passing range but he’s a similar kind of player; physical, formidable and renowned for his ability to bring composure and control into the area he operates in.

The Saints are believed to have rejected a £20million bid from the Red Devils, however, valuing the 25 year-old at closer to £25million.

CENTRAL MIDFIELD – ANDER HERRERA

Ander Herrera’s impressive performances seemed to slip under the radar a little bit last season. He actually ended up as United’s fourth-top goalscorer and fourth-top assistor in the Premier League, with six and four respectively from his 26 league outings.

The 25 year-old perhaps isn’t of world elite standard but he’s a fantastic technician, with a pass completion rate of 89%, and added a little feistiness to United’s engine room through 2.8 tackles per match.

The Spaniard is subtle yet effective and particularly befitting of Louis van Gaal’s possession-based philosophy, so he’s almost a dead cert for a regular role next season.

CENTRAL MIDFIELD – BASTIAN SCHWEINSTEIGER

Along with Morgan Schneiderlin, the Red Devils are reportedly targeting Bayern Munich midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger.

At 30 years of age, the industrious centre-mid is coming to the end of his peak and probably can’t perform in the box-to-box capacity that’s made him one of world football’s best for much longer, but he’s hugely experienced with the 2014 World Cup, the 2013 Champions League title and eight Bundesliga titles on his CV.

Louis van Gaal knows Schweinsteiger well from his spell at the Allianz Arena and the German international could be available for just £10million this summer, due to his contract expiring at the end of next season, so he could prove to be a very smart piece of business.

Bavarians boss Pep Guardiola, however, has insisted Schweinsteiger is involved in his plans for next season.

RIGHT WING – MEMPHIS DEPAY

Manchester United’s attack lacked penetration at times last season but £25million signing Memphis Depay should address that in abundance.

The Netherlands international was nominated for the Best Young Player award at the 2014 World Cup and continued his form into the following season, netting 22 times in 30 Eredivisie appearances to fire PSV to their first league title since 2008.

Fast, powerful, often compared to Cristiano Ronaldo and undoubtedly one of the most promising attacking talents in Europe, there will be a big expectancy for the 21 year-old to perform next season.

LEFT WING – ANGEL DI MARIA

Angel Di Maria’s first season at Manchester United was a polarised one. The Argentine started off looking worth every penny of his club record £59.7million transfer fee, but ended it out of sorts and out of favour.

There’s been rumours of a potential move to PSG but the 27 year-old has insisted that he intends to stay on at Old Trafford for at least next season.

Part of the problem, in my opinion, is the ambiguity surrounding his best role in the starting Xi, having begun his career as a winger but emerged as a real force at the heart of Real Madrid’s midfield during the 2013/14 campaign.

The new arrivals, however, should help Louis van Gaal decide how to best utilise the former Bernabeu star. He’s got an absolutely lethal left foot when driving crosses into the box so a role on the left side of United’s attack seems like the most logical position.

STRIKER – WAYNE ROONEY

If the right deal comes along, Manchester United could decide to sign another striker this summer, with Robin van Persie apparently being offered out to a series of clubs across Europe.

But in terms of the starting Xi, Louis van Gaal seems content enough with skipper Wayne Rooney leading the line on a regular basis.

The England international’s all-round game has never been in doubt – he’s easily one of the most complete players on the continent and unquestionably the most complete in the Premier League.

In terms of his goal tally, however, the Red Devils will be hoping for a little more next season. Old Wazza Roo managed just 12 last season – albeit, spending significant chunks of the campaign in midfield – and hasn’t breached the 20-goal mark since the 2011/12 campaign.

If United are to claim next term’s crown, he’ll have to step it up a notch.