After the midweek progression into the FA Cup quarter-finals following the previous week’s victory over Burnley, Manchester United now turn their attention to getting revenge on Swansea City this Saturday.
The Welsh side shocked the world with their 2-1 win at Old Trafford on the opening day of the 2014/15 season, with goals from Gylfi Sigurdsson and Ki Seung-Yun either side of a Wayne Rooney victory handing Louis Van Gaal a defeat in his first competitive game as boss.
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Manchester United struggled early on, with no wins in their first four games before eventually finding some form. They currently sit third in the league with just one defeat in their last 19 games in all competitions, unbeaten since their 1-0 defeat to Manchester City in November. With Swansea having since lost their main man, Wilfried Bony, to Man City during January, they head into this game looking to regain some form after slipping down the table in recent weeks.
David De Gea continues to keep Victor Valdes out of the side and his performances this season have just got better and better. He will keep his place in the side at the Liberty Stadium and could have a busy afternoon if Swansea play their style of football effectively.
Right-back continues to be an open slot for Louis Van Gaal to choose. Rafael has failed to impress the Dutch manager this season and is currently getting some match rhythm with the Under-21 side, leaving Paddy McNair and Antonio Valencia to battle it out in the full-back position. It’s a weird one with both players’ preferred positions being slightly different but with both in good form currently, I expect the experienced and pacey Ecuadorian to get the nod over the physical 19 year-old.
Luke Shaw returned to the team following his one-game suspension and was on form against League One Preston, providing an excellent attacking outlet down the left-hand-side. When fit the England man is undoubtedly first choice at left-back and I expect him to start there once again.
In central defence, Phil Jones is still a doubt after his knee injury against Burnley. That leaves Van Gaal with Chris Smalling and Marcos Rojo as his likely starters after their partnership blossomed before Rojo’s dislocated shoulder earlier in the season.
Daley Blind overcame a head injury to play 90 minutes against Preston on Monday night and did his job efficiently once again. His energy has proved so key to Louis Van Gaal’s pressing style. In his holding midfield role he provides a screen for the defence and in the absence of vice-captain Michael Carrick, his place in the team is that little bit more secure.
At this point in the team selection, Van Gaal begins to get a headache. Angel Di Maria, Ander Herrera and Marouane Fellaini have all been in good form in recent weeks and Van Gaal could easily opt to field all three if he wanted too. With van Persie and Falcao failing to impress over the course of the season, using those three in midfield with Wayne Rooney as a striker is certainly an option. However, I feel he’ll revert to type in the Premier League.
Fellaini will likely keep his place in a slightly more advanced role after doing a fantastic job in the win over Preston. With his goal, he showed more of a threat than Falcao has in months which has plenty of fans murmuring that the Colombian’s time at the club could be coming to an end.
Angel Di Maria is a certain starter once again after starting to find some form once again after being put back into a central position. With his riskier forward passing and pace down the wing he offers something none of the other midfield players do and his energy could be key in stopping Swansea’s possession football higher up the pitch and starting counter attacks.
If the boss chooses to start with both van Persie and Falcao then Wayne Rooney will fill that midfield role on the right hand side of the diamond. It’s unlikely however, that Radamel Falcao gets another chance from the start.
The Colombian’s form has been woeful since the turn of the year and while he’s been a willing runner, he’s not quite clicked under Van Gaal. After the boss’ admission that Rooney is “maybe the best striker” at the club, coupled with his performance in a more advanced role against Preston leads me to think he will start there.