Manchester United will attempt to bounce back from their embarassing 0-0 draw against Cambridge last Friday night when they play host to Leicester City on Saturday afternoon.
The Reds took on Leicester back in September in one of the games of the season, which saw Manchester United take a 3-1 lead before a stunning comeback saw the Foxes take all three points with a 5-3 win.
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Following United’s draw with Cambridge, Louis Van Gaal’s side will be keen to come out firing and look to put on a show against bottom-of-the-table Leicester ahead of next week’s replay against the U’s.
David De Gea started in the FA Cup to many people’s surprise, meaning Victor Valdes will have to keep waiting for his Manchester United debut. The ex-Barca man played in the midweek U21’s win over Liverpool as he battles to regain full match fitness but Big Dave is the undisputed No.1 at Old Trafford right now and will start in goal against Leicester.
Despite the boss openly admitting that he feels his side lacks balance when they play with a diamond formation, Van Gaal opted for the more attacking system during the draw last Friday. With United so much stronger than Leicester, I expect him to go with something similar once again.
Rafael could come back into the right-back position ahead of Antonio Valencia. After a good run of form, the Ecuadorian has struggled recently in his adapted defensive role and with Rafael fit once again following his cheekbone injury, the Brazilian could get the nod over his fellow South American.
Luke Shaw started on the bench after being left-out altogether against QPR in the league game and eventually came on in the second half as United pushed for a winner. Daley Blind has filled in in the past two games in that position but with Shaw the natural option in that position, he should return to the back four.
Marcos Rojo has made himself undroppable in defence in recent weeks with some excellent performances. The Argentine was one of the only shining lights during the FA Cup tie and his confidence is only growing with every passing game. With Jonny Evans and Chris Smalling missing the game through injury, Phil Jones partnered him and while the Englishman looked shaky it was a rare off day from him this season and I think this partnership will get another chance.
Michael Carrick has been a key member of Louis Van Gaal’s side since his return from injury but Van Gaal recently named Daley Blind as one of the players in his “locked in eleven”. This creates a dilemma for Van Gaal but it’s very possible that both can play together. Carrick by trade is a central midfielder, not a defensive midfielder. With Blind more comfortable slightly deeper it does give another option for them to play however it’s unlikely that United will go with that.
Ander Herrera once again didn’t start, meaning he’s started just thrice in three months for Louis Van Gaal despite comfortably being the best natural central midfielder in the squad. His inclusion against lowly Leicester City should be guaranteed but once again it’s expected that he will start on the bench. Marouane Fellaini has been Van Gaal’s saviour in midfield this season and he seems to like the Belgian’s physical approach to games despite his lower level of ability on the ball.
Fellaini will likely start with Angel Di Maria to his left. The record signing has faltered in recent weeks, with an attitude that hasn’t pleased United fans. He scored a wonder goal in the reverse fixture earlier this season and the Reds will be hoping he can recapture that form as Manchester United continue to push for a Top 4 finish.
Juan Mata and Wayne Rooney were rested against Cambridge so it’s expected that both will come back into the side, meaning Van Gaal will be forced to choose between Falcao, van Persie and James Wilson for the final striker role. While Wilson has been in good form recently, his best impact has been coming off the bench against QPR so it’s likely that the youngster will continue in that role.
Falcao has been the better performer of the two senior options this season but Van Gaal and van Persie have a relationship that makes the Dutchman almost undroppable. With Falcao’s long-term future at Manchester United still up in the air it’s likely that van Persie will get the nod once again, although most fans would much rather seen El Tigre get a run out alongside Wayne Rooney up front.
Credit: sharemytactics.com
Credit: sharemytactics.com