Potential Manchester United XI vs Newcastle United

After three wins from three, Manchester United head into their third home game of the season in fine form.

Louis van Gaal’s new look midfield has looked at home with the Dutchman’s methods and has brought a stability to the Reds defensively that has allowed the attacking line to produce magic.

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While they’ve struggled to create freely in the league, they showed their potential in the Champions League with an exciting display which saw Memphis Depay steal the headlines with a super brace to give the Reds a comfortable lead going into Wednesday’s second leg.

While three wins out of three should make the starting line-up fairly easy to choose, van Gaal has some interesting choices to make going into this game. Here, we explore them.

While David De Gea is still at the club and the undisputed No.1 goalkeeper, he can’t get into the match-day squad as it stands. Louis van Gaal is insistent that the Spanish goalkeeper will not be considered while the transfer window is open, as he struggles for focus with a potential move to Real Madrid still up in the air as a possibility. That means Sergio Romero will keep his place in goal, with the only goal he’s conceded being from Michael Carrick in midweek.

In defence, van Gaal would be crazy to change it. Matteo Darmian, Chris Smalling, Daley Blind and Luke Shaw have formed a solid unit defensively and their understanding of what van Gaal wants from them seems to be second to none. One potential change that *may* make them even stronger could be the fit again Marcos Rojo coming in to replace Blind.

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The Dutchman is naturally a midfielder and while he’s done well so far at the back he hasn’t really been tested as of yet. Newcastle’s front-line is quick and powerful with Florent Thauvin, Wijnaldum and Papiss Cisse and that could cause Blind problems. Rojo is a natural defender, quicker, more robust and better in the air which could mean he matches up better against the opposition attack. With that said, he hasn’t played since the Copa America final in July and will be rusty when it comes to match practice. A well drilled unit that has already played games together could have an edge against a Newcastle side not playing so well at the moment, especially in front of a home crowd.

Luke Shaw spoke of his relationship with Memphis blossoming and we’re more than likely going to see it continue here barring any surprise selections or injuries.

In midfield is where van Gaal must make the biggest decision. Michael Carrick and Morgan Schneiderlin have started together as the double pivot of a 4-2-3-1 system in every game so far but Bastian Schweinsteiger has been the main man in two of those games.

The German entered the fray at half-time in midweek for a below-par Michael Carrick and immediately shored up the midfield with his presence. He dictated the tempo of the game and just bossed a midfield that was wide open before his arrival. Schweinsteiger, while van Gaal says he’s not fully fit, should start on Saturday and control the game from the off. If he’s unable to complete 90 minutes then replace him as he wears off but his form at the moment has been a catalyst to some excellent football from the Reds so far.

Probably being biased as he's one of my favourite players in my life but Schweinsteiger looked like a Dad who turned up to a kids' game.
— Alex Shaw (@AlexShawTel) August 14, 2015

The front four is also highly unlikely to change. Memphis is a guaranteed starter following his midweek heroics in the Champions League while Adnan Januzaj has earned himself another start with his two most recent performances. Juan Mata may be the man under threat after a poor display in midweek but van Gaal seems to be a man obsessed with balance and that is something that he feels the ex-Chelsea man brings to his side from the right flank. Ashley Young and Andreas Pereira will be rushing for a chance but it’s unlikely that van Gaal will switch it around after just one poor game.

After a poor start to the campaign, both Louis van Gaal and Wayne Rooney himself have defended his performances so far this season. The England and United captain has yet to open his account despite playing as the main striker and turned in one of his worst performances in a Red shirt against Aston Villa last Friday night. He was better against Club Brugge but still below his best and after stating that he is confident the goals will come soon, he’ll get the nod ahead of Chicharito and James Wilson and will be hoping to end his goal drought at Old Trafford to get the critics off his back.

Next: Rooney: The goals will come soon