Manchester United have got injured players back but have been going backwards of late.
We think that one of the main problem has been trying to shoe horn all Manchester United’s stars into one side.
Juan Mata and Wayne Rooney haven’t dovetailed well in the attacking midfield and creativity has been poor – which is baffling considering the supposed quality of the pair. But neither has been finding the killer pass in to the front men.
And, perhaps even more crucially, Falcao and RvP haven’t played well together. Two world class strikers who instinctively inhabit the same spaces on the park.
Falcao was left out on Sunday but we think that RvPs ankle injury could give the Colombian the ‘now or never’ chance to shine. RvP works hard but hasn’t been the inspiring figure who lead Manchester United to the title two years ago. He’s more about graft than craft these days and has lost some pace.
Two players this good demand to be picked all the time. But if RvP is out for a few weeks it could simplify proceedings.
We love the idea of two up top. But perhaps that system requires a number 9 and a number 10. Falcao and RVP are arguably both number 9s – both finishers before creators.
So we think that RvP’s injury may well kickstart United. They will hopefully play Falcao put top with Rooney in the hole. This will allow for a more simple and streamlined formation with forwards in their natural positions.
As for Mata. Well he should be played in the centre of midfield with Carrick, or benched. Playing he and Rooney in the attacking midfield generates exactly the same problem as playing RvP and Falcao together up top. They naturally want to float into the same spaces.
Manchester United fans: is this current formation causing the problems?
