Strongest Manchester United Line-up To Play Against Swansea – No Rooney And Van Persie

After a hard fought match against Tottenham, the attention now turns to the FA Cup for Manchester United. Both the teams come into the game in search of a win, with the visitors not being able to be on the right end of the scoreline in seven previous encounters. Micheal Laudrup’s side haven’t played anywhere near their last season’s exploits and would be eager to get a win at the Theatre of Dreams in order to soothe his team’s Premier League woes.

United would love to end their 10-year wait for FA Cup success, with their last win coming in 2004 against lowly Millwall and David Moyes is surely taking the world’s oldest cup competition seriously. The travelling Welsh side would also look for an unlikely win a cup competition whereas anything less than a win for United would mean yet another setback for Moyes. So can Swansea cause an upset on Sunday or will Moyes’ side sail through in the fourth round? We here at Soccersouls decided to provide our readers United’s strongest possible line up against Swansea at Old Trafford.

Goalkeeping:

David De Gea will have to be aware of Ivorian striker Wilfried Bony, who scored twice in Swansea’s 2-3 loss against Manchester City, with both of his strikes resembling sheer quality. The Spanish Goalkeeper also has to be aware of Swansea’s dazzling dynamism and their ability to unlock the best of defences on their day.

Defending:

United are currently eleven points off the pace in the Premier League, so expect Moyes to be looking at the domestic cups as his best chance of delivering silverware this season. If I go with this notion, the Scot will surely field a strong defensive barrier in Nemanja Vidic and Johnny Evans in the central defensive role. Chris Smalling might play in the makeshift right back role while Patrice Evra who has had a decline in form recently might be pushed to the bench which presents Buttner a shout in the first team.

Midfield:

Micheal Carrick should start in the middle of the park alongside Tom Cleverley and Shinji Kagawa. This will ensure that even if United start in a 4-3-3 shape it gives them more compactness while defending in a more rigid 4-2-3-1 setup. Moyes will be without the services of Ashley Young albeit his shoulder injury which he picked up during the defeat to Tottenham, which means Anton Valencia will feature in the right wing role. Adnan Januzaj will be again under scrutiny from referees as he is expected to start on the left. The teenager possesses dazzling flashes of brilliance and sheer audacity, but his tendency to go down too easily is perhaps going against him so early in his career. This is where Moyes needs to take him on the side and ask him to be a bit more rigid rather than defending him.

Strike Force:

Wayne Rooney might be available subject to a late fitness test while Robin Van Persie is still out. However, given Moyes latest comments on the England International, he is set to miss the game and might return next weekend to face Sunderland.

“He’s got a groin injury and won’t be available on Sunday. He’s got a chance of facing Sunderland,” said Moyes.

This means Hernandez who has been the preferred choice during Cup games by Moyes might be started ahead of Danny Welbeck who is in fine form, having scored five goals in six games will be on the bench.