Potential Manchester United XI vs Everton

With five games to go of the Premier League season, Manchester United return to Merseyside to take on Everton as they look to cement their place in next season’s Champions League proper.

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The Reds are coming off a first defeat in six games following the 1-0 loss to Chelsea last weekend and with their lead over fourth placed Manchester City reduced to just one point, they know they need a result to keep up their chances of automatic qualification to the Champions League for next year.

Last week van Gaal was without four first team regulars in Daley Blind, Michael Carrick, Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo through injury, which meant he was forced to revert to playing Wayne Rooney in midfield while Paddy McNair and Luke Shaw came into the defence. This week however, it’s expected that at least three of them will return.

As per usual, David De Gea will start in goal. Some said he could have done better for Eden Hazard’s winner but for me it was just a great finish. He continues to impress and his increasing confidence in totally commanding his penalty area means he’s getting better and better every week.

At right-back, Antonio Valencia has made himself the man for this season. The Ecuadorian has successfully converted from right winger to full-back and has become first choice at the club, with Rafael and Paddy McNair unable to shift him from his role. While it’s unlikely he’ll still be first choice next season, he will end the season there. Rafael’s season ended prematurely in mid-week as he went off injured with suspected broken ribs for the Under 21’s, meaning Valencia doesn’t really have any first-team competition for the role.

Chris Smalling celebrated his fine season by signing a new four-year contract on Tuesday and has assured himself a place in the squad for next season’s campaign. He’s been the best centre-back at the club this season and will undoubtedly continue in his role when the side travel to an in-form Everton side. Next to him, van Gaal has a decision. Paddy McNair returned to the team and performed amicably against the champions-elect but with Jones and Rojo likely to be fit again, one of them will surely come back into the side. Jones is likely the favourite when you consider van Gaal said he was very close to playing last week, as well as the fact he started alongside Smalling against Man City the last time all three were fit and available.

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At left-back, the decision may be reasonably easier than originally expected. Daley Blind had been first choice for a number of weeks as United had their best performances of the season and Luke Shaw struggled for fitness. However, Shaw returned to the team against Chelsea and turned in a man of the match display with Blind out injured. He’s likely to keep his place but that doesn’t mean Blind will miss out.

The Dutchman is also a very accomplished defensive midfielder and if, as expected, Michael Carrick is to miss out once again then he will move back into his preferred position. Should Blind move back into the holding midfield role, it means van Gaal can get Wayne Rooney out of midfield where he is so wasted and back up front, where he is at his most dangerous.

Alongside Blind, Ander Herrera and Marouane Fellaini will once again start in midfield. Both men have become an integral part of Louis van Gaal’s ‘balanced’ midfield and are surely certain starters when fit this season. With Herrera’s eye for a pass and eye for goal, Fellaini’s physicality and aerial ability offer an immediate alternative that many teams have no answer for. With Fellaini returning to Goodison Park in good form, the fans will be on his back and the Belgian will thrive on the atmosphere that will no doubt be rocking for the home side to cause an upset.

The wide positions continue to be a puzzle for Louis van Gaal though. Against Manchester City, Juan Mata and Ashley Young were ultimately unplayable. Both men got on the scoresheet and showed why they’ve been keeping Angel Di Maria out of the side for long spells. However against Chelsea, both men struggled and were ultimately replaced in the second half as van Gaal attempted to go more direct.

This weekend could see something similar with Leighton Baines and Seamus Coleman both more than capable of keeping any winger in the league quiet on their day. With that said, I feel it’s time to recall Angel Di Maria to the side. The Argentine superstar has struggled for the most part in his first season in the Premier League but has still produced moments of magic that have seen him rack up thirteen assists in all competitions. With Mata’s constant goal threat on one wing, I think Ashley Young is the man who could miss out.

Credit: www.sharemytactics.com

Next: Long-term target identified as Carrick's successor

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