Potential Manchester United XI vs Cambridge United

Manchester United travel to Abbey Park when they take on Cambridge United in the FA Cup fourth round on Friday night.

The Premier League giants are coming off their sluggish 2-0 win over QPR, while Cambridge will be hoping to push the Reds to their absolute limits.

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With the game moved to Friday night for television purposes, many fans have been left aggrieved at travel and timing issues, so Van Gaal’s men will be keen to make the trip worth the effort as the look to win the FA Cup for the first time since 2004.

David De Gea is the undisputed No.1 goalkeeper at Old Trafford but he’s finally set to get a rest. The Spaniard has played in every single game under Louis Van Gaal since the new manager took over, after he deemed Anders Lindegaard not good enough. He’s since signed ex-Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes on a free transfer and the 33 year-old is set to make his debut on Friday. Valdes hasn’t played since March ’14 after a serious knee injury but after being named on the bench in the last two weeks he is set to start at Abbey Park.

The boss looks more and more likely to continue with 352, despite the fans voicing their discontent at they system during the win over QPR last weekend. The fans chanted ‘442’ during the first half and got their wish in the second half, which sparked a change in performance and saw United grab their goals.

Rafael could come back into the side after not featuring since the third round tie against Yeovil. The Brazilian fractured his cheekbone and while he’s been training and has been cleared to play with a mask, Van Gaal has opted to leave him out of the side. With this game, it could be the perfect opportunity for Rafa to come back into the side and get some minutes.

Paddy McNair and Tyler Blackett could return to the side, while Marcos Rojo made his return against QPR. The Argentine will be in need of minutes and could partner the two youngsters should Van Gaal continue with his three center-back system. Should he go 442, Rojo will likely partner McNair in defence.

Luke Shaw missed the game against QPR, with Daley Blind filling in at left wing-back. The Dutchman played well there and with no explanation for Shaw’s omission from the squad either of them could feature. Shaw will likely play on the left if he’s fit, leaving Blind to move back into midfield.

With Blind moving back into midfield, Carrick will likely get another rest in the FA Cup. With Marouane Fellaini returning to form once again, Ander Herrera pushing for starts and Darren Fletcher also in the wings Van Gaal has a selection headache. With Fellaini likely to get the nod in league games for the Reds, Herrera will be the more likely to start this game considering his wonder goal against Yeovil broke the deadlock.

Andreas Pereira and Adnan Januzaj are youngsters who will be looking for game-time this weekend. Both have been with the first-team consistently but barely featured and while Januzaj is the greater talent, there is also talk he could be on his way out this winter on loan. Captain Wayne Rooney is likely to play once again and I expect Rooney to be the man to take that role just behind the two strikers, with both youngsters missing out on a starting place once again.

With Robin van Persie back in contention following his ankle injury against Southampton, the Dutchman will be looking to start once again. However after a good performance by Falcao against QPR, the Colombian may have earned another chance from the start. Despite missing several chances, his overall play was much better than what van Persie has offered for most of this season and fans would love to see ‘El Tigre’ get another shot. After his fantastic substitute appearance at the weekend, James Wilson is almost certain to partner him up front.

Credit: sharemytactics.com

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