Jul 23, 2014; Pasadena, CA, USA; Manchester United midfielder Ander Herrera (21) passes the ball against the Los Angeles Galaxy during the second half at Rose Bowl. Manchester United defeated Los Angeles Galaxy 7-0. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Louis van Gaal is hoping to win his first trophy with Manchester United this season and he has a real good chance of achieving that in the FA Cup.
United are close to the quarter-final stage and anybody that follows football will be aware that the Red Devils are dangerous against anybody when the competition begins to hot up.
More from Red Devil Armada
- Aaron Wan Bissaka out for ‘several weeks’ with injury
- Manchester United break an unwanted record after Brighton loss
- Sofyan Amrabat set to miss game against Brighton
- Preview: Manchester United vs Brighton – What you need to know
- Jadon Sancho set to train away from first team squad
The 20-time league champions haven’t won the FA Cup since 2004 when they defeated Millwall at the Millennium Stadium. For United fans that seems a long time ago and it well and truly is with the likes of Chelsea dominating this competition in the last few years.
Van Gaal, 63, is aware of the threat Preston North End will pose tomorrow in their fifth-round tie and no chances will be taken in the starting XI with the likes of Wayne Rooney, Marcos Rojo, David De Gea and Radamel Falcao all set to start against the League One side.
But there’s an opportunity for others to shine and with most of United’s first-team players fit their is a chance to rotate the squad a little. And that could mean a chance for three players looking to get their place back in the side or cement their current position ahead of a busy second half of the season.
Firstly is Luke Shaw. The defender missed the 3-1 win against Burnley in midweek due to his red card against West Ham United and he is now looking to return to the starting XI. But as we all know Louis van Gaal is not worried about players reputations and with the side looking more than comfortable in the second half against the promoted side, he may opt to stick with the starting XI.
Shaw, 19, will provide that pace and energy down the flanks though, and that could be key for United when going forward. Marcos Rojo can play left-back but his strong performances in the heart of the defence have seen him look a commanding figure and one United could rely on for some time.
Jonny Evans was given a chance against Burnley but failed to impress and that could mean Shaw coming back into the side – which most fans would want.
Another key player could be Ander Herrera. The Spaniard cost over £29million and is so far frustrated with the amount of game time he’s received. Fortunately for him Daley Blind got injured and that gave him a chance to prove himself against Burnley and he did.
He has something more than most of United’s midfielders and that’s his ability to pass the ball forward, find space and look creative. Many of his team mates such as Blind, Marouane Fellaini and Juan Mata lack that urgency and its killing United’s displays on the pitch. However, Van Gaal is the man yet to notice it and Herrera’s midweek display could have done him wonders.
Praised individually by the boss after the game, the former Athletic Bilbao midfielder could now get his chance from the start and he deserves it. Compared to all the players alongside him he’s been the most creative and most successful in aerial duels. All he needs now is the mentality to remained disciplined and not get caught out of position and the Red Devils have a serious player.
Last but not least comes James Wilson. Regularly spoken about and highly rated by the United staff and fans. But the problem he has is the players ahead of him in the pecking order. All of the attackers are world class and proven and this makes it hard for the young Englishman to break through.
His last outing saw him net against Cambridge in the FA Cup while he scored against Queens Park Rangers in the league last month. Both were important goals and helped seal United’s win and tomorrow he will be looking to score the first in order to gain further recognition.
Wilson was linked with a loan move away in January but he wanted to stay and fight for his place and hopefully its the right decision.