Potential Manchester United XI vs Liverpool?

Louis Van Gaal is preparing for his first competitive North-West derby as Manchester United play host to their arch rivals Liverpool this Sunday lunchtime.

Van Gaal of course has already faced (and beaten) Liverpool as Manchester United manager once before when United beat Liverpool 3-1 in pre-season with goals from Wayne Rooney, Juan Mata and Jesse Lingard giving the Red Devils the International Champions’ Cup.

With Rafael back in training, Falcao pushing for a start and Chris Smalling ruled out with a groin injury Van Gaal’s selection process hasn’t got any easier and there are some decisions that need to be made as Manchester United look to make it six wins on the bounce.

It goes without saying that David De Gea will start in goal. Unquestionably the No.1 goalkeeper at the club, why he has yet to be given a new contract is beyond me.

Rafael returned to training last week for Manchester United and is now in contention to start against Liverpool. While Valencia has been a fairly steady stand-in, he isn’t a natural right-back. Despite Liverpool’s poor form, Raheem Sterling is still a threat down the wing and United will need to ensure they deal with him to stop Liverpool’s attacks. Rafael being a natural defender is more likely to do a job on Sterling. However, Van Gaal recently mentioned in an interview that he feels players coming back from injury should play with the reserves before making a first team return, something Rafael hasn’t done yet. Due to this, I think Valencia will start.

Marcos Rojo will keep his place in central defence with Ashley Young having impressed at left-back since the injury to Luke Shaw. With Chris Smalling’s groin injury set to keep him out for two weeks, Jonny Evans should start alongside the Argentine. Paddy McNair had “no confidence” according to Van Gaal during the Southampton game, which forced the manager to haul the youngster off the pitch after just 36 minutes. It’s unlikely he’ll throw the youngster back into the limelight so soon after that, especially with the magnitude of the game. Phil Jones has returned to training this week but this game has come too soon for the England international.

Michael Carrick is expected to start in the defensive midfield role, despite reports that Daley Blind could make an early return to the substitutes bench

. Marouane Fellaini has started every game since his goal against West Brom, often keeping Ander Herrera out of the team. Van Gaal’s reasoning was that he felt he needed someone “physical” in the midfield but that is something Liverpool don’t possess. Herrera’s passing and attacking intent is the more attractive option but putting Fellaini in the midfield could give United that edge to dominate the entire pitch.

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Angel Di Maria is back in training for Manchester United after his hamstring injury against Hull and is reportedly 50/50 to return at Old Trafford on Sunday. While Van Gaal is ready to give Di Maria every opportunity to prove his fitness and start, I wouldn’t risk it. With plenty of fixtures coming up over the next few weeks, Di Maria should start on the bench rather than risk aggravating his injury. While we’ll miss his pace in midfield, we have alternative options. Juan Mata’s form has been good in recent weeks but he tends to go missing in these higher intensity games. His frame and style don’t usually suit these types of matches as he doesn’t get much time on the ball and isn’t the biggest, so it could be an option to rotate him out of the side.

Adnan Januzaj could come in as a direct replacement to add pace and trickery to the front line but he wouldn’t be my preferred choice. Wayne Rooney has been in fine goalscoring form recently for club and country but I’d play him in the No.10 role this Sunday. His energy, power, pace and eye for goal will give Liverpool something extra to think about but won’t be the only threat. Robin van Persie’s match-winning brace against Southampton was like the RvP of old and his performance in Monday’s game showed real signs of a return to form for the Dutchman. He’ll start up front full of confidence and I’d partner him up top with El Tigre, Radamel Falcao.

Falcao has failed to live up to expectations since his deadline day move due to injuries, casting doubt over his future at the club once his loan deal expires in the summer. The Colombian insisted this week on social media that he is “100% ready” and this occasion is exactly what he was made for. His sharp movement and finishing ability will cause Liverpool all sorts of problems throughout the day. Giving him a start will help him to regain some of that “match rhythm” back that Van Gaal has been talking about while it would also give United the option to change it if something more was needed later in the game.

Credit: sharemytactics.com

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