Potential Manchester United XI vs West Brom

Manchester United prepare to take on West Bromwich Albion in their penultimate home game of the season on Saturday afternoon, knowing that a win will take them to within three points of mathematically qualifying for the Champions League next season.

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With a week full of transfer rumours swirling around to take minds off the 3-0 defeat away to Everton last weekend, the Reds must be motivated to push through and claim the victory against Tony Pulis’ side, who have almost nothing to play for this season now.

After being guided from relegation into a safe position, the Baggies are 7 points clear of the drop zone with four games to play. Although they’re not mathematically safe yet, in 13th position it’s fair to say that they’d need a colossal collapse to be dragged back into the fight.

Despite rumours over his future picking up once again, David De Gea will start in goal. Victor Valdes is still awaiting his first-team debut for the club since signing in January and could get his chance should the Reds wrap up qualification before the final day.

Rafael Da Silva’s season was announced as over by van Gaal last time around, meaning Valencia is likely to continue his run at right-back. The Ecuadorian international has played the last nine games and has cemented himself this season as the first choice in that position, although it’s highly unlikely that he’ll still hold that title come the start of next season.

In central defence, Louis van Gaal will be hopeful some of his injuries have eased up. Having been forced to play Paddy McNair for the last two games, van Gaal could re-introduce Jonny Evans to the fold as the Northern Irishman is available again following his suspension for spitting.

Should Phil Jones and/or Marcos Rojo regain fitness in time for the game then one of them will likely partner Chris Smalling at the back. Rojo is most likely to return after he suffered an issue following the win over Man City but neither are certainly going to make it.

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Luke Shaw has impressed in the last two games against Chelsea and Everton and has arguably been the stand-out player in both games despite the defeats. He is without question the best option at left-back in the squad and should start once again as he looks to consolidate his place as the long-term left-back at Manchester United.

In holding midfield, Daley Blind will start once again. Michael Carrick is out injured still with a calf problem suffered at the end of the win over Manchester City and while Blind is a natural in that role, he struggled against Everton. His lack of a real physical presence meant that he was overrun, especially as Fellaini had a stinker. He’ll have an easier time of things against West Brom but he’ll have to step up his performance in a big way to avoid more criticism.

Alongside him, the two undroppables of the team right now in Louis van Gaal’s eyes are Marouane Fellaini and Ander Herrera. The midfield duo have been key to the success of the team in the second half of the season, offering van Gaal a balance to his midfield and a goal threat. While Fellaini’s season was kick-started at the Hawthorns in the 2-2 draw earlier this season, in the last two games where teams have played deep defensive lines he’s struggled and this could be the case yet again against Pulis’ side. It will be down to him to find a way to become effective against this type of side or face being dropped in favour of another option.

Out wide, Angel Di Maria could return. Since the Manchester derby, Ashley Young has struggled to make an impact. Down the left he’s reverted to his former style of running into players rather than past them and crossing the ball to nobody. This could be a state of tiredness and with Di Maria keen to make an impact before the season is out, it could be time for van Gaal to start the Argentine out wide on the left.

Juan Mata struggled against Everton, although the whole side did in truth. Mata’s team ethic and work rate have been surprising factors in his success for the side’s game and his relationship with Ander Herrera has been a highlight for the season with most fans. Along with his constant goal threat, his creative spark means he can bring something out of nothing for the Reds and van Gaal will be hopeful he can continue his good form up to the end of the season.

Up front, van Gaal has a new problem. Captain Wayne Rooney is likely to be out for the remaining four games of the season with a knee injury he picked up against Everton, meaning the fit-again Robin van Persie and loanee Radamel Falcao will battle it out to start as the lone striker. The Colombian has struggled all season and is highly unlikely to remain at the club past the end of this season, meaning van Gaal is likely to go with his Dutch compatriot van Persie. The ex-Arsenal striker continued his recovery from an ankle injury for the Under 21’s on Tuesday night against Fulham, completing 80 minutes and grabbing himself two goals in the process. With that in mind, van Gaal is far more likely to plump for RvP considering the potential future of his two options and the current form of both players too.

Credit: sharemytactics.com

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