Potential Manchester United XI vs Liverpool
With the race for the Top 4 heating up as the season begins to draw to a close, Manchester United head across the way to arch rivals Liverpool in a game being billed as a decider for the Champions League places.
The last time these two teams met, van Gaal’s men walked away with a comfortable 3-0 win thanks to goals from Wayne Rooney, Juan Mata and Robin van Persie and a masterclass in goal yet again from David De Gea.
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Since then however, Liverpool are yet to taste defeat and come into this game as the in-form team in the division, just two points behind fourth placed Manchester United. For United, a win opens the gap to 5 points with eight games to go, with Liverpool travelling to Arsenal the following weekend.
David De Gea has been unequivocally the best player in a Manchester United shirt this season, earning the title of best goalkeeper in the world from many pundits and colleagues alike. He will without question start in goal at Anfield, having started every other game during Louis van Gaal’s tenure as Manchester United boss.
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The defence usually picks itself when everyone is fit but Sunday’s win over Tottenham has opened up a whole new debate. Luke Shaw has been the first choice left-back for much of this season but he missed out and was replaced by midfielder Daley Blind who turned in a fantastic performance. Calls for Blind to continue in that role have been duly noted but his lack of pace could cause issues when coming up against the likes of Coutinho, Sterling, Markovic and Sturridge, so for that reason I feel Luke Shaw will return if he’s fit enough to do so.
Central defence is another problem choice for Louis van Gaal. Phil Jones and Chris Smalling started together for the first time this season in a four-man defence and kept the in-form Harry Kane completely silent during Sunday’s victory. A repeat performance would be tremendous but I feel Marcos Rojo will be needed in this game. The pace and movement of Liverpool’s attack will cause us problems and with Smalling and Jones’ usual clumsiness I feel that Rojo’s pace and agility will be vital in keeping a clean sheet.
It’s the same argument every week at right-back but for once I feel like Antonio Valencia has an edge. Rafael has been out since January with a fracture cheekbone but after impressing for the U21’s he returned last week for a brief appearance against Tottenham. While Rafa is the better, natural option by far, his lack of game-time is a worry and with Valencia’s pace and power as well as his ‘match rhythm’, Valencia seems like the smarter option against the in-form Liverpool attack.
In midfield, we finally have options. Michael Carrick returned with a midfield masterclass on Sunday while Ander Herrera continued his fine form once again. This midfield duo is the best partnership we have in midfield in my opinion but there is no way Daley Blind will miss out entirely. van Gaal is the Dutchman’s biggest fan and will definitely find a place for him in the biggest game of the season so far.
It’s possible that the boss drops Ander Herrera, the the sound of hatred from fans, in order to be more stable defensively in midfield. Herrera is an attack minded midfielder and likes to take risks, which could of course prove costly should Liverpool look to counter attack us. If van Gaal is feeling adventurous then I have no doubts that Herrera will play but I thin we all know that the boss would quite happily take a draw at Anfield.
The form of Ashley Young has been a bonus for the Reds this season, with the England man revitalized under the new manager. He’s spoken of a potential England recall but his attention should be totally on Liverpool and it is. He’s certain to start on the left-wing to help whoever is at left-back against the attack, while also stretching the play to hurt Liverpool’s three man defence.
Marouane Fellaini will without fail start just behind Wayne Rooney in a 433/4231 formation, using his power and physicality to cause issues for Emre Can and co.
The final problem facing van Gaal is whether to stick with the brilliant Juan Mata after Sunday’s win over Spurs, or recall the hot and cold Angel Di Maria. The Argentine is back from suspension and his pace and energy will be without doubt a massive boost to the side’s counter-attacking ability but with his form struggling prior to his red card against Arsenal, there’s no guarantee that he will be of help to the side.
Despite Mata’s fine display, I believe Di Maria will start. His speed, dribbling ability and energy will be key to helping van Gaal’s men keep Liverpool’s attack quiet but also to causing the three man defence problems. With Juan Mata on the bench, United will have more than enough fire-power to cause a change should he be needed but Di Maria’s attributes mean he is better suited to starting this game.
Credit: sharemytactics.com
Credit: sharemytactics.com