Lakshay Khurana
Projected Manchester United XI To Face Aston Villa
After an impressive win over West Ham in the FA Cup quarter-finals replay, United face the 20th place Aston Villa in the Premier League at Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon.
In their last league match, Manchester United suffered a major loss of 3-0 to Tottenham Hotspur. The Red Devils will be looking forward to face the immensely out-of-form team and grab the expected three points to get their hopes of Champions League going.
The line-up Van Gaal put up against West Ham was very well criticized before the game but turned out to work well for the Manchester club.
Here’s how we think United will line-up against The Villans:
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Goalkeeper: David De Gea
United managed a victory against the Hammers because of the marvelous saves from the no.1. His quick reflexes were vital in his stops from point blank range while his placing and game reading allowed him to make other saves at ease.
Defenders: Timothy Fosu-Mensah, Chris Smalling, Dailey Blind, Cameron Borthwick-Jackson
After few brilliant displays in the recent games by Fosu-Mensah, the Dutch footballer should be starting against The Lions and can be a regular in the starting XI for many games to come.
Chris Smalling and Dailey Blind are as usual expected to be in the centre-back positions with their chemistry and individual defending abilities working out pretty well for the team on most of the occasions.
Marcos Rojo should be expected to be benched on Saturday after many disappointing performances in a row. Louis Van Gaal should listen to the fans and play the full-back youngster, Borthwick-Jackson instead of him. And after the display of the Argentine against Spurs and West Ham, the Dutch boss will most likely play Borthwick-Jackson.
Midfielders: Marouane Fellaini, Michael Carrick, Jesse Lingard, Wayne Rooney, Anthony Martial
Marouane Fellaini has shut the critics for now with his amazing showdown at the Boleyn Ground on Wednesday. Scoring the second goal and providing the team with the physical strength and key forward passes, he will earn his place in the starting XI alongside Michael Carrick who also did well as the lone defensive midfielder in the FA Cup replay match.
Wayne Rooney is back from recovery and made an appearance in the 90th minute against the Hammers and will most likely pop in the starting XI against the Villans as Van Gaal has made his priority for the skipper very clear.
Forward: Marcus Rashford
The wonder kid did it again when the team needed him. His stalemate breaker shook the home fans and put them in a serious threatening situation. Rashford has still not failed to impress the fans with his admirable display on the pitch. Despite Rooney’s return, it will be difficult to bench Rashford for now, while his striking form is still on the run.
Substitutes:
Sergio Romero
Morgan Schneiderlin
Marcos Rojo
Antonio Valencia
Ander Herrera
Juan Mata
Memphis Depay
