Manchester United prepare for battle in the UEFA Champions League at Old Trafford for the first time in over a year when they take on Wolfsburg on Wednesday night.
The Red Devils are looking for their first win in the Champions League this season after the defeat in the opening group game against PSV Eindhoven two weeks ago, when Luke Shaw’s broken leg took all the headlines.
With van Gaal revealing that Michael Carrick was ruled out of the game while Antonio Valencia and Ander Herrera wouldn’t be risked after picking up minor injuries, United’s team effectively picks itself ahead of this tie.
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David De Gea will of course continue in goal. The Spaniard kept his first clean sheet of the season against Ipswich last week before following it up against Sunderland and United still look much more confident with him between the sticks.
In defence, Matteo Darmian is likely to move back to his usual right-back position. The former Torino man was fielded in the left-back role against Sunderland with Antonio Valencia filling in on the right but with the Ecuadorian unlikely to be risked after picking up an injury in training, Darmian will return.
That means the left-back spot is wide open and with Luke Shaw and Marcos Rojo also missing, van Gaal only has two options. Daley Blind has spent plenty of time in that position but has made himself a mainstay in the centre of the defence alongside Chris Smalling this season and it’s where he should remain. One option is to bring Phil Jones back into the fold but with the England international no doubt lacking in match fitness following his battle with thrombosis, it may be too soon after just two substitute appearances. With that being said, it leaves just Ashley Young to fill in.
The winger played there in some parts last season and impressed before being moved back to his natural, more attacking role. van Gaal specifically mentioned him as an option following Rojo’s injuries and it seems now that Young may be forced to move back into that role.
In midfield, once again the Reds have little option on who to field. Michael Carrick has been ruled out by van Gaal while Ander Herrera is unlikely to be risked as both players suffer from ‘minor injuries’. That means we’ll most likely see the return of the midfield duo dubbed ‘schmidfield’ by the fans. German captain Bastian Schweinsteiger and Frenchman Morgan Schneiderlin will provide the balance and composure in midfield for the team and allow the front-four to continue to flourish.
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With three goals in four of the last five games, United’s attack is finally starting to click. Juan Mata’s position on the right wing has been cemented in recent times and his own personal form has been fantastic. The former Chelsea man has three goals and four assists in all competitions this season and with his goal threat providing an extra problem for opposition players to think about, it’s creating extra space for Rooney, Martial and Memphis.
The Dutch winger Memphis has scored three goals in Europe so far this season for United, including the only goal in the defeat to PSV with a wonderful solo goal. He’ll be looking to add to that run and continue his good form after grabbing his first Premier League goal at the weekend too.
Wayne Rooney’s individual form is still not up to scratch, but the captain has finally found his scoring boots again. He scored in two successive games, against Ipswich and Sunderland, and will be hoping that he can continue that and help the Reds to a big win in European competition 11 years to the week after his famous debut against Fenerbahce.
Up front in the lone striker role, Anthony Martial is shining. The teenager has four goals in five games and while he didn’t score against Sunderland, he was arguably Man of the Match after what many are calling his best performance in the United shirt so far. With his confidence high and the Reds needing his spark in the side, it could be another big night for the 19 year old.
