Red Devils captain Wayne Rooney is a serious doubt for Saturdays match with West Brom due to a knee injury, which means the now fit again Robin van Persie could be set to return to the team getting his first start since February.
The midweek loss by Liverpool to Hull City effectively nullified United’s 3-0 loss at Goodison Park to Everton, with manager van Gaal still looking to finish in the top-four with a strong end to the season.
Should they surfer a defeat this afternoon at Old Trafford, it would mark the first time the club has lost three successive matches since 2001.
This seems very unlikely however with the Baggies having only won once in their last 21 matches at Old Trafford.
The fitness of Michael Carrick, Marson Rojo and Phil Jones will need to be assessed after all three missed playing in the last two-games.
If fit Carrick is a must with the Red Devils losing just once in the last 17 matches in which he has started.
Goalkeeper
United shot-stopper David De Gea was the star in United’s performances earlier in the season, and is responsible for helping them get back to Champions League football. Currently stalling on signing a new contract at Old Trafford, he is a vital part of Louis van Gaal’s team.
Defence
This is a part of the team that needs to be worked on over the summer, but with Rojo and Jones both back from injury a short term solution will be found. Saying that however we expect to see Antonio Valencia, Chris Smalling, Paddy McNair and Luke Shaw make up the back-line despite the poor showing against Everton.
Midfield
Even though he may be fit to play we think it is a tad premature to bring Michael Carrick back into the team, so we expect to see Dutchman Daley Blind performing United’s midfield defensive duties.
Despite his poor start to life in the Premiership Argentinian winger Angel Di Maria will only continue to improve so we expect him to start alongside Juan Mata and fellow Spaniard Ander Herrera in what should be a very free flowing midfield.
Attack
Even though he has turned out to be a huge disappointment we expect Colombian striker Radamel Falcao to start up top alongside Robin van Persie who is in for the injured Rooney and with question marks surrounding a possible exit for the 31-year-old, these last few games of the season will go a long way in determining his future at Old Trafford. If Falcao fails to impress during the first half look for Belgium international Marouane Fellaini to come on after the break.
Breaking news: Rooney declared fir to play by LVG, so either Falcao or RVP could be on the bench.
