Three Manchester United players who should start tonight
As the season begins to reach its climax the pressure on the senior players of Manchester United is increasing and tonight three points are needed against Burnley.
This isn’t due to their careers being at threat but its due to the weekly wages they receive to help separate the Red Devils from the other elite sides in the league and that is not quite happening.
At Old Trafford many fans have been thrilled with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, a primed Wayne Rooney, Ryan Giggs and a midfielder in Paul Scholes. However, they have a new bunch of stars from around the world but its not quite going to plan for manager Louis van Gaal.
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The 63 year-old boss spent over £150million this summer on six signings and this was expected to be enough for United to reach the Champions League – something they missed out on under David Moyes last season. But it has been far from easy and with 14 games remaining the Red Devils are currently in fifth position heading into tonight’s game against Burnley.
United must win tonight and the players will be aware of the situation after Arsenal and Liverpool both won yesterday. Angel Di Maria has been quiet lately with his figures for this year reading no goals and no assists in four games. The record signing who cost £59million did start the season well but it appears as if he’s unsettled at the moment with the playing style not suiting the 26 year-old.
Wayne Rooney the club captain is also playing in midfield when he is at his best as a striker. It’s interesting what is going on at Old Trafford at the moment and tonight could see the Red Devils boss make changes. And below we select three players that may get a chance in the starting XI this evening.
Juan Mata
The Spaniard has been inconsistent this season and he has no excuses if in the summer he finds himself surplus to requirements.
He signed last year for £37million but is yet to live up to his price tag. He normally finds space in behind the defence like David Silva. However, unlike the Manchester City midfielder he doesn’t have the pace ahead of him to make his impact in a game effective. You could say that’s the managers fault but then Mata should be able to adapt.
Mata didn’t start against West Ham on Sunday and he was left out of the side that beat Leicester 3-1 in the Premier League game before hand. However, he could get his chance again with the Hammers game taking its toll on some of the players. He will need to take his chance if he plays behind the striker or on the wing with time ticking for him to impress the Dutch boss ahead of a busy summer.
James Wilson
The 19 year-old has looked impressive when he has played for the Red Devils and tonight looks like another chance for him to shine.
Coming on against Cambridge United in the FA Cup, Wilson added that energy and pace which the side are currently needing. Against West Ham, Radamel Falcao and Robin van Persie lacked that killer movement which you see youngsters making and it could be time for one of the pair to be rested.
Wilson is hungry and ready to take every chance he gets and against Burnley, Van Gaal maybe thinking the same. He is a striker who’s proven at youth level and in the reserves and now he just needs a run in the first-team. But United’s staff have to ensure they use him correctly with his experience not quite up to his strike partners.
Marouane Fellaini
Fellaini made himself a presence against West Ham on Sunday and it paid off with Daley Blind netting a late equaliser. That should be enough to earn him a start against Burnley tonight and he could be played in his more advanced role which he has taken up recently.
Van Gaal is a thinking coach and he likes to play the passing game which attracts fans. However, sometimes you need to ensure you get the three points and a key weapon could be the long ball up to Fellaini this evening. Burnley are a strong outfit and they are expected to defend in numbers and look to hit United on the break.
Fellaini, 26, isn’t the quickest so its unlikely he will be played in a holding role with Blind currently occupying that position.
United are desperate for three points with every game now crucial up until May and he could be saved by Van Gaal for the last 20 minutes should his stars fail to fire under the lights.