So what are we to make of the rather cryptic words of Louis van Gaal in his press conference on Friday? Most assume that he will stick with his rather settled looking line up, with the only doubt about who will start alongside Phil Jones at centre back – Chris Smalling or Marcos Rojo.
But, perhaps only to keep the press and pundits on their toes, Louis van Gaal said of his line up:
Never change a winning team, is an English expression – but I always have my eyes open
And, with Louis van Gaal a meticulous observer of the strengths and weaknesses of the specific opponent for each game, he said:
You must see the quality of your opponent and make a decision with the staff. So it’s not always never changing the team
While Louis may be attempting to keep his counterpart, Manuel Pellegrini, guessing we think that the most realistic reference that he is making is to Angel di Maria.
Di Maria – Back with a bang against City?
Rojo may start instead of Smalling. But the only other position that can be subject to any debate is that of Ashley Young on the left.
You would have to imagine that De Gea, Blind, Jones, Valencia, Carrick, Herrera, Fellaini, Rooney and Mata are guaranteed starters. Their form has been really good and they have clicked as a unit. The same could of course be said for Ashley, who is playing easily the best football of his Manchester United career right now.
But his problem is that a £60m Argentinian is sitting on the bench, chomping at the bit for a place on the left wing. So will Di Maria get the start? We reckon that he will.
10 assists for the season is second only to Cesc Fabregas. Even over the last two games, when Di Maria has started on the bench, he has two assists compared to zero for Ashley Young. Amazingly, Young only has one assist for the whole season – though we all understand that his qualities perhaps lie elsewhere.
Many of the British national newspapers have gone for Young in the predicted line ups for this one. But we reckon that Angel may get the nod.
Manchester United fans: Angel or Ashley?
akinpelu wasiu tunde
Apr 12, 2015 at 8:28 am
young
Karakibabatunde
Apr 12, 2015 at 9:17 am
Di maria
Greyso Mwale
Apr 12, 2015 at 12:02 pm
Angel di maria
Excellent Larry A
Apr 12, 2015 at 12:34 pm
Let Di Maria start to give Man City Defense some problems as he is quick on the ball.
Akanbi Sikiru
Apr 12, 2015 at 12:39 pm
Di Maria shld start