Manchester United vs Chelsea – Old Trafford – Sunday 26th October – 16:00 KO
Louis Van Gaal’s Manchester United host league leaders Chelsea this Sunday in one of the most anticipated games of the season so far. The West London side come into the game following an impressive 6-0 victory over NK Maribor in the week and are still unbeaten in this season’s Premier League. United’s own form remains up and down following a disappointing draw away at West Brom on Monday night.
Wayne Rooney will be unavailable again as the club captain serves the final game of of his three match ban, and Van Gaal has also confirmed that Michael Carrick will be unlikely to feature with the Englishman included in the u21 squad for Friday night’s game against West Ham United. Both Antonio Valencia and Jonny Evans are also still unavailable but the big news is that record signing Angel Di Maria is fit enough to play after picking up a knock on Monday night at The Hawthorns. With all this considered, this is how United could line up on Sunday:
Goalkeeper
David De Gea will be the first name on the team sheet yet again. United’s number one was powerless to prevent either goal on Monday night and will hopefully be kept on his toes with ex-Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes looking set to be offered a contract by the club.
Defence
United’s defensive frailties continued in Birmingham on Monday night and the manager has some big decisions on his hands. Rafael Da Silva was at fault for West Brom’s second goal but with Antonio Valencia still sidelined then he will more than likely get the nod. At left-back Luke Shaw also looked shaky on Monday and I have got a feeling Van gaal would be tempted to go with Daley Blind if the Dutchman wasn’t as vital to United’s midfield as he currently is. As a result Shaw may get the nod by default. Both full-backs will have to be at the top of their game defensively with the threat of Hazard and Oscar.
In the centre of United’s defense I expect Marcos Rojo to continue. The Argentine’s pace could be vital when dealing with the threat of Costa if the Spanish striker recovers from a stomach bug in time to play. Alongside Rojo I expect Phil Jones to gain his second successive start. The 22-year-old looked far from assured on Monday night but I expect an improved performance having got 90 minutes under his belt.
Midfield
As mentioned already, Daley Blind’s defensive attributes will be vital for United this Sunday as they try and cope with arguably the league’s strongest midfield. The Dutchman will hopefully be able to null the threat of Cesc Fabregas and stop the Spaniard adding to his impressive tally of assists so far this season. Alongside Blind I expect Marouane Fellaini to get his first start of the season after impressing on Monday night following his entrance and even grabbing a goal. His strength may be a useful asset this Sunday.
Having recovered from the knock picked up at The Hawthorns, Angel Di Maria will hopefully be in inspiring form again on Sunday. United’s number 7 will hopefully get the Chelsea defence on the back foot and will be absolutely vital in forcing the Red’s up the pitch on Sunday and hitting their opponents on the counter attack. Also forming part of United’s midfield I think will be Ander Herrera. The ex-Bilbao man’s work rate will be another crucial attribute and I expect him to be favoured ahead of Juan Mata because of this.
Attack
Robin Van Persie put in a big shift Monday night and was unlucky not to grab a goal after his volley crashed against the post. Despite working hard however he looked isolated on occasions and as a result I expect Radamel Falcao to be deployed alongside him again on Sunday. The pair seemed to link up well after the Columbian was brought on Monday and it should be noted that last time Falcao played against the West London side he netted no less than four goals in the UEFA Super Cup.
Predicted Starting XI:
(1) De Gea;
(2) Rafael, (4) Jones, (5) Rojo, (3) Shaw;
(17) Blind, (31) Fellaini;
(21) Herrera, (7) Di Maria;
(9) Falco, (20) Van Persie.
45 replies on “Manchester United vs Chelsea: Van Gaal's Starting XI?”
DATS GUD BUT MATA SHOULD START
which mata are you taking about did you watch mata against west brown albion? what did he do nothing
Pls vanpersie should be benched
Shame the weak link p jobes will have to b involved with superior options Evans, McNair injured, rather see Blackett as he to is far better then weak link jones who is bound to cost us a goal coz the liability always does. January is a must time to sell ohil retard face jones as he ain’t good enough to b a Utd fringe player, we need better to bck up Rojo, Evans, McNair and Blackett. Smalling to is a dead wood walking and january should see both gone as both are weak, poor, liabilities, and accidents waiting to happen
Januzaj is s must play as he will rip Chelsea apart with di Maria. Mata needs to be involved as does Herrera, blind and fletch. Falcao up front, goals galore
nice lineup but fellaini should ve being a gud substitute.
am not so optimistic about rvp same for Luke Shaw those to me are the weak link in that squad.
that man u line up seem to be our bluez’ sunday ‘cookie’ as LVG says
Is good line-up But as a big match, I predit Man utd could try 4-3-3 formation with this line-up ; De gea , Rapheal -Blackett-M. Rojo- Shaw, Herrera – Blind – Di Maria, Januzaj -Falcao- Young.
I think Rvp need to be drop,
offcouse
lineup is ok, but the manager should think of asuper- sub the way Sir Furgi did to Wenger during their unbeaten record. And should be early in the second half.
‘GO GUYS THIS IS THE KICK OFF TIME’
To me….Van Gal shuld play 4-5-1 choak d midfield if possible draw! Is beta off! Becox man u is nt in shape i culd see wat deh play 0n m0nday.
Drop Rvp and play Radamel Falcao.. Play Juan mata No 10 den supersub Fellaini..
Ya To me….Van Gal shuld play 4-5-1 choak d midfield if possible draw!
Drop rvp plzz,januzaj mst start
9c format bt RVP should be later subsituted by a januzaj
Gud line up but Luke shaw, should be drop for Blacket for left back while Rvp should improve his game .I will rather go with blind n fletcher in the mid to fellani bcos he is lazy n troublesome player
paddy mcnair should be given the chance against chelsea instead of jones,who looked shaky in the last game.
nice line up bt we nid mata beta drop rvp and let mata move forward beside falcao
start blackett,mcnair,valencia subs:fellaini,shaw,carrick
MCNAIR IS INJURED, and i think Mata should be a sub in the second, pending FElAINI looses his focus, BUT LVG rightly states the Premier league is physical and his presence, fe;;. is vital, RVP have a knack for showing up against big clubs, if not we can always use Januzai. All, in all think this the best squad to bee Chelsea
Good line up bt i prefered 4-5-1,rvp shd be droped and januzaj wil be good cus he need games to improve
Nice one.
Good lock boys and make us proud guys
ashley young should be given a chance instead of selfish adnan januzaj with mcnair and rojo as a centre backs.
I hate selfish Adam j,I would prefer fek ashsly young although is not our class.
[…] And here’s another predicted lineup from Red Mancunian: […]
i’m praying dat mata is included,cos he can help utd sink chelsea.
if herera is not full fit,mata should start
No matter who start or who played. i think chelsea are not unbeatable. the players should up their game and work against the odd. any formation, any starter have his part to play.
I think Januzaj and Mata must start
I think Januzaj must start
Rvp must be benched falcao is at his best as lone striker
gud line ups but rvp shud be droped for mata
Please Van Persie must not start
To me, i prefer: De gea, Raffeal, Jones, Blackette, Shaw, Blind, Herera, De Maria, Matta, Januzai and falcao for 4. 5. 1 formation.
Chelsea will beat Man utd this afternon 3-0 by the grace of God.That’s my wish
good linup bt RVP must be benched and use mata
To people saying van Persie needs to be dropped, please think before you speak.
He has only scored two goals this season but that’s because Wayne Rooney is an idiot and got himself suspended, and Falcao hasn’t been all that good since he arrived. Robin van Persie Is the only striker that they could do some damage with. Until Falcao and Rooney are back, they aren’t going to be scoring as much because van Persie has to do everything up front himself, and it doesn’t help when Blind takes ridiculous shots and missing when he could be looking for better options.
Mata should have started
Unbeaten does not mean they cant be beaten, remember Arsenal, they made history with there unbeaten run, they were actual called the unbeatable s or invincible, what ever the name was, guess who neat them, OUR BELOVED MANU
I want to get a clear info.is rvp a shareholder or the owner of man u that they does nt substitute him inspite of the rubbish he plays?
Pls van gaal should drop van persie and play falcao along side juan mata. Up man utd.
gud start,but rvp should be drop from the squad today.coz he is nt gud for match.