3 Formations Van Gaal Should Try To Produce Best Results For Manchester United

The 2014 summer transfer window saw plenty of surprise moves that no one saw coming. But one thing that everyone saw coming was Manchester United’s dealings in the transfer squad. With a squad that that struggled to finish seventh last season, there was always going to some major transfers both going out and coming in, particularly with a new coach coming in.

While the Red Devils were expected to be busy in the transfer market, nobody quite expected them to spend as much as they did. Not only did they break the British transfer record to sign Angel Di Maria from Real Madrid, they also broke the world record for most money spent in a single transfer window.

With the additions of Luke Shaw, Marcos Rojo and Daley Blind, the club finally have reinforced their defense, which was their Achilles heel. By adding Ander Herrera and Angel Di Maria, the club have not only added some bite and steel to the midfield but also some much needed creativity. Up front, the arrival of Radamel Falcao on loan is something that would definitely improve the attack which saw Welbeck leave for Arsenal and Javier Hernandez go out on loan to Real Madrid.

Now the real question for Van Gaal is what he does with the players at his disposal. Does he continue to stick with his 3-4-1-2 formation or does he go for a more traditional four-man defense. Given the versatility of the players at his disposal he certainly has plenty of options. Here are three formations that the Dutchman can use to get the most out of his players.

1.  3-4-1-2

The only player that is guaranteed to be in the starting XI irrespective of the formation is the goalkeeper David De Gea. Aside from him, Van Gaal has the players to pick and choose depending on the formation he employs. If the Dutchman wants to go with a three-man defense and stick to the formation he started the season with, Phil Jones, Jonny Evans and Marcos Rojo would be the ideal candidates for the three central defensive roles with Jones and Rojo occupying the right and left side of Evans who will be the central defender.

With Shaw and Rafael finally returning to full fitness, those two would be the first-choice for the two wing back slots. The acquisition of Daley Blind means that the club finally have a defensive midfielder and the Dutchman’s calm and assured temperament would make him the perfect partner the all-action style Ander Herrera in central midfield.

Although Mata has occupied the central playmaker role so far, the arrival of Angel Di Maria for a British transfer record means that the Argentine should get the nod ahead of the Spaniard for that role. Up front, Rooney and Falcao would be the ideal pairing given Van Persie’s fitness concerns and the pace and power that the Colombian would bring.

2. 4-2-3-1

If Van Gaal decides to abandon his three-center back system and decides to go for a much more traditional four-man defense then Rafael, Jones, Rojo and Shaw would be his ideal backline. The addition of Rojo means that the club finally have a natural left-sided center half who can slot in and do the job.

When playing a 4-2-3-1, the most important role is played by the two central midfielders who sit just in front of the back four. In Blind and Herrera, the club have two players who can play the double-pivot to perfection as both are equally capable of contributing in attack and defense.

The addition of Di Maria means that the club now have two left-footed wingers who are equally comfortable on both plans. Di Maria and Januzaj are both capable of playing on the left or the right wing, which gives the attack a lot more variety and an injection of some much needed pace. The addition of Falcao means that if Van Gaal wants to play the Colombian as his main striker, he will need to move Rooney into midfield. In this formation, the 28-year-old will be best suited to playing the No.10 role with Falcao on his own up front.

3. 4-3-3

If there is one formation that Van Gaal has always used throughout his career as a manager, it is a 4-3-3. The Dutchman can use this at United as well, now that he has the necessary players to do so. The defense is likely to remain the same, with Rafael, Jones, Rojo and Shaw taking their place in the back four.

For the three-man central midfield to work, you a defensive midfielder who is going to shield the back four, a box-to-box midfielder and a more attack-minded central midfielder. At United, the first role is likely to go to either Carrick or Blind. The box-to-box midfielder role will be Herrera’s while Rooney might be forced to play as a central midfielder if he wants to keep his place in a 4-3-3.

Up front, Januzaj and Di Maria will essay the roles of the two wide men. Both players are incredibly fast and have the skill to not just beat a defender but also play a perfect pass. The central striker role would be perfect for Falcao, who will be tasked with the responsibility of not just leading the line but also banging in the goals.