It has been a terrible last few weeks for Manchester United and their 2-1 defeat to Swansea City recently just compounded the Red Devils’ current woes.
The defeat allied by another horrible performance has put a bit of pressure on manager Louis van Gaal’s shoulders for perhaps the first time in his tenure at Old Trafford so far and it goes without saying that the Dutchman will need his side to deliver a response this weekend in order to lift the doom and gloom surrounding the club at the moment.
Up next for United is a home clash against a struggling Sunderland side and the game is perhaps the perfect opportunity for the Red Devils to prove their worth.
That said though, Sunderland are also desperate for a good result and the match will be anything but a walk in the park for United. If the unthinkable happens and United go on to lose the game, one can be sure that a few of the Old Trafford faithful will start agitating against van Gaal.
Therefore, losing is certainly not an option for United and if they play to their best, a victory is the bare minimum one should expect from the clash.
Here is the Strongest Possible Lineup for Manchester United on the day –
Goalkeeper
David De Gea could in no way be blamed for the goals that United conceded against Swansea City last week but one can be sure that it will be scant consolation for the Spaniard.
Therefore, the Manchester United goalkeeper will be desperate for that clean sheet against a toothless Sunderland side and in turn, get the Red Devils’ campaign back on track once again after a couple of torrid results in recent times.
Defence
Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo seems to be van Gaal’s preferred partnership at the middle of the park and the duo should start once again this weekend against Sunderland.
However, one can anticipate a couple of changes in the full back positions. Paddy McNair and Luke Shaw were deployed out wide against Swansea last weekend but with Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young now fully fit, van Gaal may decide to opt for the more experienced duo.
On the back of signing a new contract with United, Tyler Blackett will also be hopeful of a start but it looks likely that the young man will once again have to be content with a place on the bench.
Midfield
After another abject attacking performance from Manchester United, van Gaal will be looking to ring the changes at the middle of the park.
Daley Blind looks certain to start in the defensive midfield position while out of form Angel Di Maria is presented with another chance to redeem himself after a woeful performance against Swansea.
In the playmakers role, Juan Mata should start considering the fact that United have been unable to create too many chances in recent times but the human battering ram, Marouane Fellaini, also provides a useful option.
On the right side of midfield, Ander Herrera is the most likely option but there is a chance that Ashley Young could also feature following his encouraging cameo display against Swansea.
Attack
United fans were given a reason for concern after star striker Robin van Persie left the Liberty Stadium in crutches last week. While it remains to be seen for how long the Dutchman will be out injured, it looks very unlikely that he will feature on Saturday.
With the absence of van Persie, Radamel Falcao is handed a chance to start once again and he will be desperate to make amends after being completely overlooked against Swansea.
Wayne Rooney was also anonymous last week and van Gaal will be pinning his hopes on the striker to put in a much improved performance against Sunderland. James Wilson picked up an injury while in action for the Under-21 side and is set to miss out.
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Via – Lineup Builder
