Sunday’s game against Chelsea is without a doubt, the biggest test of Louis Van Gaal’s reign so far. Things haven’t been going too well for Manchester United and the last thing the Dutchman would have wanted is to face a side that is yet to lose this season. The Blues have been setting the pace in the League this season and the draw away at Manchester City was the only blemish in an otherwise perfect season.
Will the Red Devils be the first to beat Chelsea this season or will they be just another side who were swatted aside with consummate ease by the seemingly unstoppable Blues? Much will depend upon Van Gaal’s team at the weekend. Although Wayne Rooney is unavailable through suspension, the United manager will be pleased to see that his defenders and midfielders are slowly returning to full fitness.
So how should the Dutchman approach the crucial clash on Sunday? Should he stick with the midfield diamond or consider a style that will negate the visitors’ attacking prowess? Should he go with one or two up top? Those are certainly questions that need answering. Here is what Van Gaal should do, to ensure that he not only gets the best out of his side but also stop the onslaught that is sure to come from the Blues.
In goal, David De Gea is a certain starter. Although the Spaniard didn’t have the greatest of starts to the season, over the past few weeks he has shown why he is an integral part of the current United setup.
In front of him is where a couple of changes are necessary. Rafael will take his place at right back, but the identity of the other full back is up in the air. Luke Shaw’s performances so far this season haven’t been particularly good and as the game against West Brom proved, he isn’t particularly great when it comes to his defensive discipline. What that means is that Van Gaal will be forced to play Marcos Rojo at left back, a position that he excelled in during the World Cup.
With Phil Jones slotting in at centre back, Chris Smalling, who has only just come back from injury will take his place as his partner in crime. Playing as the left-sided isn’t something that the Englishman particularly enjoys, but Shaw’s form over the past few weeks coupled with Chelsea’s threat on the wings means that the club would be better served by playing Smalling in the middle with Rojo on the left.
While the defensive changes are relatively straight-forward, it is in midfield that the Dutchman will have to tinker quite a bit, to overcome Chelsea’ central midfield duo of Fabregas and Matic. The Dutchman may well have to do away with the diamond and go like-for-like in terms of the midfield.
What that means is that Daley Blind, who has established himself as the club’s first-choice defensive midfielder will likely be partnering Michael Carrick, who will be making his first appearance of the season against the Blues. Although the midfield pairing lacks pace, what it does give them is the control in central midfield, which they will need, against a side like Chelsea.
In front of them, Angel Di Maria will take his place on the left side, having overcome his thigh problems, which some though might rule him out of the game. Although he was taken off at half time against West Brom, Ander Herrera is likely to start on the right flank and drift inwards and support the attack, whenever possible. His first-ever goal for the club on Monday showed just how effective Marouane Fellaini can be if used properly. His physqiue and aerial ability means that the Belgian might just get the nod over Juan Mata, who has failed to make the most of Rooney’s absence.
Up front, on paper at least, it is a difficult choice to choose between Robin Van Persie and Radamel Falcao. But in reality, the Colombian has already shown plenty of promise in his first few games while the Dutch striker has merely regressed and continued the downward spiral that started towards the latter stages of the World Cup. So Falcao should get the nod as the main striker and finally show the Old Trafford faithful just why he is considered as one of the finest centre forwards in world football at the moment.