Potential Manchester United XI vs Ipswich
Manchester United prepare to take on Ipswich Town in the Capital One Cup 3rd Round on Wednesday night as they plunge further into a defensive crisis, as well as having to address the form issues of their captain.
With Marcos Rojo and Paddy McNair joining Luke Shaw on the sidelines ahead of the clash, Louis van Gaal has just three fit defenders in his squad. Chris Smalling, Matteo Darmian and a returning Phil Jones are the only natural defenders available although the latter is only just returning from mild thrombosis and will only make the bench.
That leave Louis van Gaal with makeshift defenders Antonio Valencia, Daley Blind and possibly Ashley Young to fill in the gaps left by their colleagues absences.
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In goal, it’s expected that David De Gea will keep his place in the side. The boss started De Gea in every single game last season barring the final league clash against Hull, where the Spaniard was injured. That included every cup game and with van Gaal keen to take every tournament seriously this time around, I expect the 24 year-old to keep his place ahead of Sergio Romero and Sam Johnstone.
Matteo Darmian was replaced at half-time against Southampton on Sunday, with Ecuadorian Valencia coming in and doing well in the second half. With Valencia not featuring much so far this season, I’d expect the 30 year old to get the nod at right-back for the sake of match sharpness.
While it’s possible that van Gaal will shift Darmian across to left-back as he did during pre-season on occasion, the manager implicitly referred to Ashley Young as an option in the left back position following injury to Luke Shaw. With Rojo out injured and Blind needed at centre-back due to a lack of other options, it’s probably more likely that the England international gets picked in a more unfamiliar position.
Chris Smalling and Daley Blind will almost certainly start as the centre-backs in this game, allowing their run to continue. The two have started every game together so far this season and with Louis van Gaal confirming that Phil Jones will only be on the bench as he’s not fit, barring a shock start for youngsters Timothy Fosu-Mensah or Axel Tuanzebe, the manager has no other option.
In midfield, it’s more a case of how van Gaal wants to play this game. Should the manager want to go gung-ho and attack, a partnership of Ander Herrera and any other in the double pivote role will suffice. Should he choose to stick to his usual style and be tight defensively and look for individual magic to win him the game, then expect the Spaniard to miss out and be replaced by either Schneiderlin or Carrick.
Considering the opposition, the fact it’s a knockout tie and the fact that playing two holding midfielders against lower league opposition would see him crucified by the press, I think Herrera will start alongside the experienced German skipper.
The front four is much more flexible in selection though.
Despite the disappointing news that both James Wilson and Jesse Lingard will play no part in the game as they “are not needed”, van Gaal still has plenty of options.
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Andreas Pereira, Antonio Valencia, Wayne Rooney, Memphis Depay, Juan Mata, Marouane Fellaini and Anthony Martial are all fit and capable of playing in those advanced positions.
After his impressive start it’s hard to see Anthony Martial being risked when there are so many options, but van Gaal may opt to let him continue his good form and play him from the start. While I feel that is unlikely, it is an option.
Andreas Pereira didn’t feature for the Under 21’s in their win over Everton on Monday, suggesting that he would play some part in the game on Wednesday. The Brazilian youth international has yet to feature in a match-day squad yet but his talent is unquestionable and after his pre-season tour performances, he was kept at the club rather than loaned out.
He could start on the right of the attack, given the same license that Juan Mata is often afforded of being able to cut in to the No.10 role to help with the creative side of things.
On the left wing, Memphis Depay was expected to be rested for the game with Ashley Young coming into the side. But with the England international now expected to start at left-back, Memphis may be forced to play. His pace, directness and goalscoring threat mean he would of course be a fantastic outlet to the team but also a goal against English opposition may boost his confidence after a tough start to life in the Premier League.
Marouane Fellaini will come into the team as he looks to gain match sharpness and he’ll likely start in his strongest No.10 role, which means that Wayne Rooney is likely to get another chance to open his domestic account for the season by starting as the lone striker.
