With Manchester United set to face Aston Villa tomorrow evening it will be interesting to see how manager Louis van Gaal lines up his side with no injuries and Bastian Schweinsteiger returning.
The Dutchmen watched on as his side beat Spurs on the opening day of the season. However, the performance was very disappointing and changes could now be made ahead of the trip to Villa Park.
Tim Sherwood’s side won their first game of the season away at Bournemouth and they were given good encouragement of what they could achieve this season with £6million summer signing Rudy Gestede making the difference. The former Blackburn striker came off the bench to net a powerful headed winner against the South East club and he could now start against United with his fitness improving.
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That could worry the defence of Van Gaal’s side and Dutch international Daley Blind could be targeted by Sherwood as the weak link in the Red Devils. The 25 year-old isn’t a natural centre-back and he isn’t physical, giving Gestede a good chance of dominating the game. This will mean the inclusion of Chris Smalling and the England defender will have to be on top of his game to deal with the Villa front man.
So with a different type of challenge expected to that of Spurs it could be a different starting XI to the one we saw at Old Trafford. United’s home form was poor last season and they will hope to improve on that, with just a 1-1 draw here last season. However, they have a stronger squad and looking at the players, this is how they could line up.
Formation: 4-3-3
In goal it has been reported that David De Gea could return but those rumours were quashed by Van Gaal during the press conference. With Gestede likely to force plenty of crosses, Romero will have to be at his best to deal with the physicality.
The defence for United is likely to be unchanged with Van Gaal happy with the clean sheet and display from his four men in front of goalkeeper Sergio Romero. Matteo Darmian the recently signed right-back put in a Man of the Match display and he will be looking to continue his fine start to his United career. The 26 year-old produced good crosses for the attackers but mainly defended spot on throughout his 75 minute debut. Secondly is Luke Shaw who plays at left-back. The England man is one of the best in the country on his day and should he stay injury free, will have plenty of games this season. Smalling will remain at the back but he will have to cover Blind regularly should Van Gaal’s side leave with three points.
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In midfield it is likely that Juan Mata could be dropped from the side. The Spaniard was a starter against Spurs but struggled to do anything productive out on the wing with Memphis Depay preferred centrally.
Mata isn’t known for his pace and for him to be effective he needs to be playing behind the striker which is Wayne Rooney. That won’t happen with Depay expected to be given another chance to flourish and that leaves Mata surplus to requirements. The reason for him being dropped to the bench is the likelihood that Van Gaal will cram the midfield with three central players, those being Michael Carrick, Morgan Schneiderlin and Ander Herrera.
That leaves Ashley Young, Depay and Rooney in a front three that has energy, work rate and a bit of pace – something to keep Villa pegged back in their own half.
Villa will be looking to put on a show for their home fans so a win for United would be very morale boosting ahead of all of their rivals’ fixtures on Saturday and Sunday.
