Manchester United are trying to sign Gareth Bale, Neymar and Cristiano Ronaldo next summer as the club look to add the stardust that could take them back to the top of the perch in the English Premier League and Europe.

Louis Van Gaal has come under criticism for his style of play and the manner of results, with Manchester United crashing out of the Champions League on Tuesday after a defeat to Wolfsburg.

While the club are still in contention for the Premier League title, that is largely down to a stingy defence rather than expansive forward play, which Manchester United were known for during Sir Alex Ferguson's tenure.

Van Gaal has admitted he would like a superstar player who could take this club to greater heights, and the board seems to agree, with the Old Trafford side working on deals to sign Real Madrid duo Bale and Ronaldo and Barcelona forward Neymar, according to The Times.

Manchester United, who are reportedly willing to spend as much as £200million in the next summer transfer window, had a bid for Neymar rebuffed by Barcelona last summer, and with the Brazilian only getting better and better it is difficult to see the Spanish side willing to let go of their superstar. Having said that, though, Barcelona are in need of finances, and if Manchester United make an offer that they cannot refuse, Neymar could move to Old Trafford.

The same can be said of Bale and Ronaldo, especially considering Real Madrid are open to their sales, if reports from Spain are to be believed. Ronaldo said in an interview his future at Real Madrid is far from secure, while Bale has found it difficult to find consistency in his game at the Bernabeu.

Both are the kind of players who would immediately turn Manchester United into a team capable of going a long way in the Premier League and Champions League, with Neymar also having the calibre to do the same.

While signing one of the three maybe possible – and that is also a big maybe – bringing in all of them, even two out of the three, will be next to impossible, even with the amount of resources at Manchester United's disposal.