Lakshay Khurana
While Norwich City are trying to avoid relegation, Manchester United are struggling to get themselves into the top four spot, which will safeguard UEFA Champions League qualification for the next season.
Both teams will be eager to get three points from the game. A win against the Canaries would put United just a point behind their neighbours who recently played a poor game against Real Madrid, exiting from the Champions League. Van Gaal would be hoping for Manchester City to slip in the Premier League while his team can gather all possible points in the remaining three league games.
Here’s how I think Manchester United will line-up at the Carrow Road.
Formation: 4-1-4-1
Goalkeeper: David De Gea
United’s best player for the third time in a row, he surely makes his place in the starting XI every time.
Defenders: Timothy Fosu-Mensah (Righ-back), Chris Smalling (Centre-Back), Dailey Blind (Centre-Back), Matteo Darmian (Left-Back)
Fosu-Mensah might be given another match to start after his call-up from his national side. The Dutch youngster has shown some promising performances and can be used well against a “non-wide” attacking side.
Matteo Darmian is the only and the most reliable choice after Rojo’s failing display against Leicester City last weekend.
Midfielders: Morgan Schneiderlin (Centre-Defensive Midfield), Jesse Lingard (Right-Out), Wayne Rooney (Centre-Midfield), Juan Mata (Centre-Midfield), Anthony Martial (Left-Out)
Morgan Schneiderlin can be the most expected choice at defensive midfield area after Fellaini’s ban for three games. Louis Van Gaal cannot play Carrick at that position if he has to achieve the same pacey game as the team had against Leicester and Everton.
Juan Mata has a history with the Canaries and can be hoped to net a goal or two against them. Being benched in last few games, he is very much expected to return to the starting line-up.
Anthony Martial has netted goals when the team needed him the most. The striker-turned-winger has frightened the opposition’s right back in almost every match with his pace and skills. It wouldn’t be a surprise if he even scores a solo goal against Norwich, given his current form.
Forward: Marcus Rashford
The 18-year-old hasn’t been the same as when he started his senior career but has shown a great potential to become a lethal striker in every match he has played. Rashford has been linking up well with Wayne Rooney and Jesse Lingard, making spaces and short passes to set up goalscoring chances. Van Gaal would be stupid if he decides to bench him anytime sooner.
Substitutes:
Sergio Romero
Antonio Valencia
Marcos Rojo
Michael Carrick
Ander Herrera
Memphis Depay
Ashley Young
