Here is the LINE-UP for what we think will be Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal’s last match in charge of the Red Devils win, lose or Draw we think the decision has already been made to cut ties with the Dutchman.
The only question now is who will take over? Will the job be offered to Jose Mourinho or will the club do as they did last time and appoint Ryan Giggs as interim boss after firing David Moyes.
Manchester United’s poor run of form continued on Boxing Day losing 2-0 away to Stoke City, which means van Gaal, is unlikely to name an unchanged side for this afternoons match against fellow strugglers Chelsea.
Bastian Schweinsteiger is available again after suspension and Jesse Lingard could also return to the squad from injury.
Meanwhile Morgan Schneiderlin was a costly omission at the Britannia, and Wayne Rooney was by far the team’s best player when brought on in the second-half.
Goalkeeper
David De Gea will continue in goal for United as talk once more emerges of a possible move to Real Madrid come the summer.
Defence
United’s defence was all over the place against Stoke and given such little time between matches it’s hard to imagine what van Gaal could possible do to chance things around accept to put Italian, Matteo Darmian straight back in at right-back following his return from injury.
Despite being poor in the game with Stoke Phil Jones and Chris Smalling will be given the chance to redeem themselves, and with so few alternatives at left-back the start will once more fall on the shoulders of Daley Blind.
Midfield
Now is the time to bring Morgan Schneiderlin back into the team where his younger legs will be more beneficial in having to deal with the trouble William, Oscar and Hazard will be looking to cause.
Bastian Schweinsteiger is available once again after his suspension, so he should partner Schneiderlin in the centre of the park and hope that his experience and leadership can rub off on the rest of the team.
Just ahead of the pair Van Gaal should go with Spaniard Ander Herrera, as this his is his favoured position and it would be the same setup that took Everton apart at Goodison Park earlier in the year.
Now is the time to give Juan Mata a rest as he was ineffective against Stoke and play both Memphis Depay and Anthony Martial out on the wings.
Attack
Put Wayne Rooney back in as the team’s front man and remind his of the 30 goal season he talked about if he was allowed to play as the clubs number nine, and then sit back and hope for the best.
Summary
Given all the problems United has at the moment and their inability to score goals we think that this game has a lack of goals written all over it. Chelsea also has their own problems to contend with which is why we are forecasting a 1-1 draw at odds of 11/2 with Bet365.
