Louis van Gaal
Louis van Gaal is plotting a second successive summer of extensive spending at Old Trafford Getty Images

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has been advised to refrain from embarking on another record-breaking spending spree during the summer transfer window by former winger Quinton Fortune.

United signed six senior players for a combined fee of upwards of £150m and are expected to make similar strides during the off-season in order to close the gap between them and Premier League leaders Chelsea and champions Manchester City.

Kevin Strootman, Mats Hummels and Edinson Cavani are among the players linked with a move to United during the summer but having taken their spending to record levels in 2014, Fortune wants the club to cut back.

"They have the quality. Good young players," Fortune told Perform. "They've signed enough players in my opinion, spent enough money.

"Going forward, in attack, you've got [Radamel] Falcao. They've brought in [Daley] Blind into midfield, [Marcos] Rojo the Argentine and obviously [Angel] Di Maria, [Luke] Shaw at the back. They've got enough quality.

"Unfortunately they've picked up a few injuries. I'm sure when everyone's injury free they are capable of putting on a great run.

"I just think it's a matter of time before it will all click and we'll see United hopefully - I'm trying to be positive here - back where they belong."

Though United are not expected to make significant signings during the January transfer window, reports are linking the club with a huge spell of spending in the summer.

Suggestions are rife the club will match the £150m they spent in drafting in the likes of Angel Di Maria, Radamel Falcao and Luke Shaw, while a host of players could leave the club including David de Gea and Adnan Januzaj.

The Old Trafford club's transfer plans are likely to rest on a return to the Champions League, with Van Gaal's side currently occupying one of four qualifying berths, just a point ahead of fifth place Arsenal and three in front of Tottenham Hotspur, who are sixth.