Manchester United are still far from being the finished article that Louis van Gaal would have liked to achieve in his first three months at the helm, but a dogged win over Crystal Palace and a fighting away victory at the Emirates sees the 13-time Premier League winners back in the Champions League places. Despite the pandemic injury crisis at the club, the well-traveled Dutchman would know that results are expected of him and nothing other than a win would do against Hull City at home on Saturday. Radamel Falcao’s return to training is a boost, and Wayne Rooney’s renewed form for both club and country will please the 62-year old as he looks to continue the process of rebuilding the team for the near future. Money will be needed to be spent in January, but the victories have to come along with it. The victory at the home turf of one of United’s great Premier League rivals would come as a soothing reminder to the United faithful that their club are still capable of matching shoulders with the best.
Let’s take a look at the Manchester United lineup which could take the field when struggling Hull City visit Old Trafford on Saturday.
Goalkeeper:
David De Gea
The Spaniard was in top form against Arsenal last weekend as he denied both Danny Welbeck and Jack Wilshere from close range and snuffed out a barrage of Arsenal attacks. He should be raring to go against Steve Bruce’s men.
Defenders:
Valencia, Smalling, McNair, Blackett.
Steve Bruce set up with a defensive minded 3-5-2 formation away to both Anfield and Emirates and the Theatre of Dreams should be no different. While United’s 3-4-1-2 paid dividends against Arsenal and despite the 4-2-3-1 being a fluid formation in an offensive sense, Van Gaal should opt for the diamond instead of the back three as it allows Di Maria to exert a greater influence. Antonio Valencia should continue at right back, while concerns over Jonny Evans’ match sharpness may open the door for Paddy McNair to get another deserving start. Chris Smalling looked rock-solid against Arsenal while Tyler Blackett will have to shift to left back in Luke Shaw’s absence.
Midfielders:
Carrick, Fellaini, Di Maria, Mata.
Michael Carrick was the calming influence at the middle of the park at the Emirates as he helped the defence absorb the pressure and kept things ticking along steadily. Marouane Fellaini has come into fine form in recent matches and should play alongside Carrick in midfield allowing the flying Argentine to play in a free role in midfield and allow his dribbling abilities to unlock the Hull defence. The out-and-out touchline hugging winger’s role restricts Di Maria’s influence on the match and Van Gaal will want his best player to be involved more and dictate the pattern of the game.
Juan Mata should play at the tip of the diamond and the Spaniard is due a start after scoring the winner against Palace before the international break.
Forwards:
Rooney, Wilson.
Wayne Rooney is a workhorse wherever he plays, but given the form he’s in having scored 4 goals in 3 matches for club and country, his manager would like him to be involved further forward. James Wilson has been knocking on the door for quite some time, and given Robin van Persie’s poor form, thanks to van Gaal’s demands of his forwards defending from the front, RvP’s goal scoring instincts seem to be suffering. A break for the Dutchman and a chance to observe the highly rates young Englishman isn’t the worst idea in the world.
