Sometimes Manchester United win the league by beating the minnows while succumbing to the big boys. In other seasons they can suffer shock results but pull themselves through because of a great record in the crunch ties. Manchester United fans will hope for the latter this season.
Because they have spluttered through the early stages of the season with a fixture list that looked particularly kind on paper. The most difficult game so far was Everton at home.
But now the fireworks really start as Manchester United entertain Chelsea this weekend. The performances have most definitely been improving but this progress has been regularly masked by isolated errors which have resulted in goals.
The game against WBA was a case in point. Manchester United passed the ball better than at any time over the last year. they dominated possession and chances. But they still only left with a point.
If those errors can be remedied then Manchester United have as good a chance against the likes of Chelsea as anyone does.
The biggest injury concern is over Angel di Maria who hurt his thigh in the Monday evening match and sat out the last 15 with an ice pack strapped to his leg. His availability is crucial.
You would imagine that, with the added options of Fellaini and possibly Herrera and Carrick, LvG will opt for an extra defensive midfielder against a Chelsea side that is so strong in the middle. We think that Herrera was rushed back against WBA and it showed in his poor performance. This weekend we expect Fellaini or Carrick to play alongside Blind in yet another new formation under LvG – but a very similar one to that which took the field on Monday.
We actually believe that two up top works best for Manchester United and it’s a crime to leave a fit again Falcao on the bench. Mata has not taken his chance to impress in the absence of Rooney – his future at United looks very uncertain – so he should drop out instead of the Colombian. This would leave Manchester United with more of a 4-4-2 with RvP dropping just behind Radamel.
Di Maria and Valencia would be our choices for the wings. Both are lightning quick and, particularly Valencia, can also help out defensively.
So here is our team strongest team for the season defining game on Sunday (16:00 local time)
Manchester United fans: let’s have your thoughts.
maros
Oct 21, 2014 at 8:05 pm
Rafael? Jones? Carrick? This idiots? LVG sell they!
GODSON
Oct 21, 2014 at 9:22 pm
IDIOT @MAROS MANUTD SELL RAPHEAL,JONE,CARRICK? THUNDER WIL FIRE U MAROS.
chike
Oct 22, 2014 at 9:40 am
If you have watched man u for sometime coming,am sure you wil never call raphael and carrick idiots.we won every damn thing with them.and they stil have a lot to offer.are u a new man u fan?
Okinyi Fredy
Oct 21, 2014 at 8:24 pm
Digea,Rafael,Shaw, philjones,Rojo,CarricDimaria,Blind,RVP,Falcao,Young
www
Oct 22, 2014 at 3:15 pm
young? are you kidding me? he was 0 against wba
GODSON
Oct 21, 2014 at 9:18 pm
MAROS@ SELL WAT? THUNDER WILL FIRE U IDIOT @MAROS
brian
Oct 21, 2014 at 11:47 pm
4-2-3-1
Degea
Rafael Thorne. Rojo. Shaw
Carrick. Blind
Herrera. Fellaini. Dimaria
Falcao
Dunlop
Oct 22, 2014 at 12:27 am
We shud play 4-2-3-1: De Gea, Rafael, Jones, Rojo, Shaw, Carrick, Blind, Januzaj, Fellani, Di Maria, Falcao.
RVP has been awful and I doubt he’d give us anything better against Chelsea. Fellani provides tht big threat for Di Maria’s crosses. Falcao has proved a handful for defenses and gives us another body for crosses. If Carrick is not fit enough to start, Herrera, providing he is fitter than last game can start.
sylvanus
Oct 22, 2014 at 4:21 am
rvp out Wilson in plis
alexspring
Oct 22, 2014 at 4:58 am
Please no Michael Carrick. He is always reluctant to go for tackles. Blind will face difficulties. Play Fellani to help ever reliable Blind in defence because Man Utd’s Rafeal and Jones is and was never up to Manchester United’s standard. With D Maria style of play Fellani may be able to score goals.
Naod
Oct 22, 2014 at 6:06 am
This is a formation that Mourinho would pic for UTD.
4-4-2 Diamond proved to be effective so far. so, min would be
Rafa – Jones – Rojo – Shaw
Blind
Felani Dimaria
Herera
RVP Falcao
i picked Jones coz we done have any other option, and Fellani coz i thought he was superb gainst WBA nd if give a license to go forward like he did last time, he is a threat for so far superb Chealsea’s back line
ermres
Oct 22, 2014 at 6:26 am
de gea,rafael,rojo,smalln,jones,blind,valencia,carick,falcao,van p,d maria
chibyk
Oct 22, 2014 at 7:22 am
If u have ever being a man u fan for one day u will never call smallin 2 play us again, sell this guy, smallin 10 others u get 8, bc 2 other players will be trying to cover him and by that u are playing 3 men down. Find out urself
chike
Oct 22, 2014 at 9:49 am
Hey young man, smalling is stil more reliable than shaw at the moment.since rojo can play at left back,we don’t hav a choice but to play smallin cuz of his physical attributes.rememberwe play chelsea.
Samuel addai
Oct 22, 2014 at 6:57 am
De gea rafael, jones, rojo, shaw blind, di maria, fellaine herrera, rvp, falcao
jameslyne
Oct 22, 2014 at 7:15 am
rvp out midfield try valencia carrick di maria blind defence as usual at westbronwich bt striking falcao and fellaini
kc
Oct 22, 2014 at 7:17 am
i would go for a 4-2-3-1 formation
DE GEA
jones rojo
raphael shaw
carrick blind
valentia herera di maria
falcao
DREEPAUL VIDUR
Oct 22, 2014 at 7:30 am
It will better to play Fellaini in midfield with dany blind.
Better XI to play against Chelsea : de gea Rafael rojo
jones shaw Valencia fellaini blind di maria falcao van persie. Herrera can also in the place of Valencia if the latter is unavailable.
temitope james s
Oct 22, 2014 at 7:34 am
i think v.g knws best, his boz môre dan us, i am a youth coach dat knw small abt 352 4mation, if u are nt fit enough u cant play d game as a player.. sö to me. i wuld prefer -de gea..2.rafeal..3l.shaw..4.blind..5.m.rojo..6.jones..7.valencia..8.herreira…9.falcao..10.fellani..dimaria…..4-3-2-1..wil bé ok.
silver
Oct 22, 2014 at 9:49 am
For me, that is the best FORMATION
Shaddyrich
Oct 22, 2014 at 7:47 am
De gea
raphael jones rojo shaw
di maria fellaine blind vanlencia
Falcao robin v p
Oscar
Oct 22, 2014 at 7:58 am
De gea Rafeal jones Rojo Shaw Dlind
Fellaini valencia De maria falcao and van persei can do the job
Lukwiya Raschalyne
Oct 22, 2014 at 8:19 am
The formation against Chelsea must involve the service of Wayne Rooney.
Digital 7
Oct 22, 2014 at 9:18 am
suspended red card
Digital 7
Oct 22, 2014 at 8:36 am
De Gea
Rafael McNair Rojo Shaw
Herrera Blind
Valencia Fellaini Di Maria
Falcao
Zicokc
Oct 22, 2014 at 8:58 am
our formation shuld b wil balanced in defenc nd attact wit 4-2-3-1 nd dese re my players de gea,refeal,rojo,jones,saw,blind,carrack/harrera,valencia,di maria,rvp nd falcao.
chike
Oct 22, 2014 at 10:05 am
Ya I go with the 4-2-3-1 system too.but I think valencia should start the match @ the far right position as he wil offer some defensive help.carrick also having experience and a great touch on the ball can make blinds work easier if fit enough.and fellaini has to be the player behind the striker.sitting a bit deep.for aerial and defensive advantage.finally I would have really loved falcao to start ahead of v.p.but that’s almost imposible with L.v.g.but let’s see
murphy afuwape
Oct 22, 2014 at 10:00 am
Lvg pls start falco agains chelsea drop rvp nd use 4 *2*3*1
Abubakar sadiq
Oct 22, 2014 at 10:00 am
De gea-Rafael-Macnair-Rojo-Shaw-Blind-Carrick-Di maria-Falcao-Valencia-Young. While RVP come up as sub.
godwinakp
Oct 22, 2014 at 10:40 am
let see those that will be fit at the end of the week before making our choice.remember we are playing against Chelsea of Jose mourinho.LVG should know that this is a chance he should not miss.he should prove what he ever knows in coaching
diaz
Oct 22, 2014 at 10:50 am
jones is the worse defender on dis earth i think we shuld play
1.de gea
2.rafael 4.thorpe 5.rojo 3.l.shaw
6.blind 21.blind
8.herrera 7.di maria
10.falcao 20. Rvp
stephen Yeboah
Oct 22, 2014 at 11:30 am
I think those given us bad formations are not real united fans. They might be Chelsea fans. I support the editor’s formation and it is a very strong one.
1. De Gea 2. Raphael 3. Shaw 4. Rojo 5. Jones 6. Blind 7. Valencia 8. Carrick 9. Falcao 10. Van Persie 11. De Maria
I think this is very strong squad
ADEDEJI
Oct 22, 2014 at 11:37 am
WHY THE HELL ON EARTH IS LVG VERY ADAMANT TO RVP HE SHUD STOP USIN RVP AND PAVE WAY FOR FALCAO. DE GEA JONES(CB) ROJO(CB) RAFA(RB) SHAW(LB) BLIND(DM) FELLAINI(CM) DI MARIA(LM) MATA(AM) JANUZAJ(RM) FALCAO(FW)
maros
Oct 22, 2014 at 1:03 pm
rafael, carrick and jones ruined us so many times. an IDIOT like you @GODSON never know that. they aren’t player for a team like man utd.
Digital 7
Oct 23, 2014 at 5:43 am
agree, jones makes a big mistake against WBA, so Berahino 1 on 1 with De Gea. McNair is better I think. RVP still ok to be starter but Janujaj… ehm… sorry bro…
bubacarr dem
Oct 22, 2014 at 2:28 pm
dis my team de gea rafael jones rojo shaw blind carrick fellaini demari v.persie n falcao
www
Oct 22, 2014 at 3:20 pm
it is cat in the bag situasion with carrick. he hasn’t played for a long time in first team and you think he can play against chelsea?! look how herrera looked when he was not playing for just a little time and now think what will be with carrick. i think herrera would not play second bad game and lvg has to give him a chance. and instead of rvp who look terrible all this season we should try januzaj behind falcao. januzaj was not the best player against wba but every time they have to double defence agaist him and still he some times created a chances for other players
utdstandtall
Oct 22, 2014 at 4:32 pm
Personally I think 4-3-2-1
. De Gea
Rafa – Jones – Rojo – Shaw
Carrick – Blind – Di Maria
. Filiani – Herrara
. Falcao
This formation will allow us to play with enough support on mid field and remain compact in def whilst maintaining an attacking threat.
Abebe
Oct 22, 2014 at 5:30 pm
United alway7
Abebe
Oct 22, 2014 at 5:40 pm
United manager Lvg should take a chance 4 Falcao and the young boy talented attacker James Wilson insteade of RVp .
pervious
Oct 22, 2014 at 5:49 pm
Try to intrdce valencia plz plz LVG plz
ucheking
Oct 22, 2014 at 6:13 pm
Jst bcos fallini score our last match ar u guys ar sayin d shuld put in.nooooo.let blind carriek herra be in dt match. D maria.facou.rvp out.him hav ntin 2 prove
ocan denish
Oct 22, 2014 at 7:05 pm
Deg, raf, shew, rojo, macnir, blind harera, dimaria, valencia rvp, falcoa
ocan denish
Oct 22, 2014 at 7:11 pm
LVG should not bring young if he wants 2 get 3points.
george
Oct 23, 2014 at 10:08 am
Dear Van Gaal
Please kindly look at my slection as an option for sunday’s match
De gea-Rafael-Rojo-jones-Macnair-Blind-Valencia-Carrick-Falcao- RVP- Di maria
Victor Ekarika
Oct 24, 2014 at 3:43 pm
I thought of 4.2.3.1 formation against chelsea