Manchester United travel south to Yeovil on Sunday for their FA Cup 3rd round clash against the League One side in Louis Van Gaal’s first appearance in the competition.
The Dutch boss has revealed he is keen to go far in the competition following the club’s failure in the Capital One Cup earlier this season but United’s injury problems continue to put a negative spin on Van Gaal’s time in charge.
Ashley Young has been ruled out for ‘many weeks’ following his hamstring injury against Stoke, while Antonio Valencia missed the trip to the Britannia on New Year’s Day with a knock that saw him replaced against Tottenham three days prior. Marcos Rojo, Daley Blind and Marouane Fellaini are all still doubts but United should still have more than enough to progress to the fourth round.
David De Gea has started every game this season under Louis Van Gaal, including every fixture over the festive period. Van Gaal may decide to give him a new year’s rest, meaning Anders Lindegaard could get a start. However with Van Gaal clearly not a fan of the Dane, it’s possible the Spaniard could start anyway.
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With Valencia and Young both ruled out, Manchester United are likely to revert back to a back four for the trip to Huish Park. Youngster Saidy Janko started in the massacre at Milton Keynes, but he is still regarded as a hot prospect and is in contention to start. Rafael, despite being out of favour at the moment, is lacking minutes. Van Gaal could use this game as an opportunity to get him back into the first team picture and give the Brazilian 90 minutes. Luke Shaw is the only recognised left-back at the club right now and having just returned from injury, Van Gaal is likely to field the 19 year old yet again. Jonny Evans, Phil Jones and Chris Smalling are all available as are Paddy McNair and Tyler Blackett. While this could be used as an opportunity to get a partnership going with the senior defenders the two younger options are lacking minutes too. Tyler Blackett is expected to start alongside Chris Smalling, who continues to return from injury.
Michael Carrick has been an ever present since returning from his ankle injury and is likely to be rested. That means youngster Ben Pearson or Joe Rothwell could be given a long awaited debut with the first team at the base of the diamond. Both have impressed for the U21’s over recent months and either would deserve a start. Pearson is likely to be more suited to the more defensive role so could get the nod over Rothwell. Ander Herrera should start in the midfield role in order to try and regain some match fitness following his most recent injury and could be partnered in a deeper midfield role alongside Adnan Januzaj.
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The Belgian attacker has struggled to get into the first team this season and only featured briefly over the festive period after picking up an illness which ruled him out. Januzaj could play in the midfield role that Angel Di Maria has occupied for some of this season, dribbling from deep and using his energy to get from one box to the other to link defence with attack.
Brazilian playmaker Andreas Pereira has been training with the first team all season but is yet to make a first team appearance, with the exception of MK Dons. Pereira is said to have impressed Van Gaal in training and with his contract due to expire at the end of the season, more minutes are likely to convince the youngster to stay at Old Trafford. He could play at the tip of the diamond, possibly switching with Januzaj to be the main creator in midfield.
James Wilson is almost certain to start up front. Van Gaal is known to be a big fan of the 19 year old and while the English forward hasn’t scored this season for the first team he’s come on leaps and bounds since his promotion from the reserves in the summer. His pace and finishing ability are there for all to see and if he gets a chance against opposition of this level you’d expect him to take it.
His strike partner is a tough one to call. Wayne Rooney recently complained publicly about the demand of playing so many games in such a short space of time, so I’d expect the captain to miss out this fixture. Robin van Persie is a favourite of Van Gaal but the Dutch striker has played 90 minutes in all of United’s games over the festive period so will likely be due a rest. Radamel Falcao is in fantastic form at the moment and finally looks fit. Fans were bemused when he was substituted by Van Gaal against Stoke despite his goal but the extra rest could mean he is the man to partner Wilson against Yeovil. Another option for Van Gaal is youngster Will Keane.
Keane was a top prospect before a serious knee injury stunted his development and James Wilson leapfrogged him in the Old Trafford pecking order. The two Englishmen forged a good partnership at U21 level and Van Gaal could be interested in exploring that option also, although it’s probably more likely that he starts on the bench.
Do you agree with our team? What would your team be?
Credit: sharemytactics.com
Credit: sharemytactics.com