Strongest Manchester United Lineup To Face Everton – Mata And Fletcher To Start

Manchester United go into their game against Everton on Sunday knowing fully well that nothing less than a victory will do, in their bid to make their way up the table. While Everton haven’t been in the greatest of form of late, the task for Manchester United is made even more difficult thanks to their injury list. The Red Devils have eight first-team players out injured while two more, including club captain Wayne Rooney are suspended.

Ander Herrera’s injury last week means that Van Gaal will be without his most influential central midfielder, first-choice centre backs and also his club captain. While things don’t look so good on the injury front, the attack has clicked ever since Angel Di Maria’s arrival and the Dutchman will be hoping that continues as he faces a surprisingly porous Everton defence.

Defence

Thankfully for Van Gaal, one area of the field where he doesn’t have a big problem is the goalkeeping slot. David De Gea hasn’t gotten off to the best of starts under the Dutchman, but has still done more than enough to stake a claim for his place in the side.

In front of him, Van Gaal is likely to once again employ his first-choice full backs in Rafael Da Silva and Luke Shaw. In central defence is where the problem is once again for the Dutchman as injuries and suspensions have meant that Marcos Rojo is the only senior central defender in the squad. What that means is that 19-year-old Paddy McNair looks set to make his second appearance for the Red Devils in as many games.

Midfield

In midfield, the Red Devils finally seem to have a found a formation that works for them. The midfield diamond that Van Gaal employed in the last couple of games has come up trumps in the attacking sense and the Dutchman will continue with the same against the Toffees.

Daley Blind will continue in his role at the base of the diamond, just in front of defence, but in front of him is where the changes will be. Although Di Maria is set to start on the left side, Herrera’s injury means that vice captain Darren Fletcher is likely to be given the responsibility to play on the right side of the diamond. Rooney’s suspension means that Juan Mata will once again play in his preferred position at the tip of the diamond, orchestrating the attacks.

Attack

Up front, the partnership that has started to click in the last couple of weeks look set to continue against the Toffees. Robin Van Persie seems to have found his goal scoring touch back again and although Falcao hasn’t scored as yet, he has already shown signs of promise and it looks as though it is only a matter of time before he gets his first goal for the club.

Predicted Lineup

De Gea

Rafael   McNair   Rojo   Shaw

 Blind

Fletcher          Di Maria

Mata

RVP    Falcao

Watch Van Gaal Press Conference ahead of Everton game on next page>>>>>>>>>>