Manchester United have had unbelievably bad luck with injuries this season. Talk of having a rubbish defence is short sighted in the extreme when you consider the injuries to Rafa, Jones, Smalling, McNair, Rojo, Evans and Shaw already this season.
The defence continues to be a big issue but at least Manchester United can once more start to pick a full strength front 6. The re-introduction of Carrick at the weekend – albeit in an emergency role at centre back – added composure to the side and we think that he will be a starter again from this weekend, possibly as an emergency centre back.
But once United get another centre back fit then Blind and Carrick will form a settled engine room in front of the defence.
The Dutchman has been increasingly impressive and we believe that he is about to form a rock solid partnership with the Englishman. With Falcao still recovering the formation will be 4-2-3-1 for now with 3 attackers behind RvP. This may well revert to a 4-4-2 when Falcao is back.
Either way, fitness permitting, expect to see Carrick and Blind alongside each other on most team sheets for the next couple of months. Unless Manchester United sign Strootman in the winter then expect these two to play the lions share of games between now and May. Fellaini will be used as a sub to cause trouble with his height, if not his clumsy feet.
That said, this weekend we will see either Herrera or Fellaini partnering Blind.
In front of them we see no reason why LvG won’t continue with Januzaj, Rooney and Di Maria. Valencia may have to continue at right back so Adnan will get more minutes to impress.
The back line is a total mess at the moment but Luke Shaw is improving with each game and McNair gave another great display at the weekend.
So here’s our patched up United side for the weekend. Manchester United fans: agreed?
