Manchester United got off their pre-season tour of the United States off to a good start with a 1-0 victory over Club America and while the performance was most certainly not vintage United, manager Louis van Gaal would have taken a lot of positives out of the game.
Van Gaal used two completely different lineups for the two halves against Club America and the Dutchman is likely to do the same for the upcoming clash against San Jose Earthquakes on Tuesday night as well.
Here is the Strongest Possible Lineup for Manchester United on the day –
Goalkeeper
David De Gea missed the clash against Club America due to injury but with the Spaniard all but set for an exit, van Gaal will probably not be too keen on having the 24-year old available.
Sam Johnstone was the man who started in goal against Club America while Anders Lindegaard came on for the second half.
Both the custodians performed relatively well during the clash on Friday and the duo will once again look to do well against San Jose as they look to stake a claim for the number one spot between the sticks at Old Trafford for the upcoming campaign.
Defence
Fans got a glimpse of new signing Matteo Darmian against Club America and his performance was very encouraging. The Italian international should continue in the backline for United once again, with Phil Jones, Daley Blind and Luke Shaw likely to be accompanying him.
The second set of defenders put out by van Gaal after the interval against Club America which consisted of Paddy McNair, Chris Smalling, Jonny Evans and Tyler Blacket looked very solid as well and it would not be a surprise if the Dutchman elects to start with a couple of the four aforementioned players.
Midfield
Morgan Schneiderlin began life as a Manchester United player off to a great start after scoring the winner against Club America with a fine header and the Frenchman will surely be looking to continue on the same vein against San Jose.
Bastian Schweinsteiger came on at half time and put in a solid display while Memphis Depay also looked a huge threat as a second striker.
Along with the promising three new signings, the likes of Michael Carrick, Juan Mata, Ashley Young, Adnan Januzaj, Jesse Lingard and Ander Herrera also performed well and they will surely be looking to make a further impression as the competition for places in midfield is so fierce at the moment.
However, it has to be said that the man who stole the show was youngster Andreas Pereira. Pereira was brought on at half time and wreaked havoc into the Club America backline with his performance down the left wing.
The dispaly will surely see Pereira handed another chance to impress and the young man will be eager to do well once again.
Attack
Wayne Rooney and James Wilson featured as the strikers for United during the first and second halves respectively against Club America but with van Gaal adopting a one man strike force, both the players looked isolated.
Rooney and Wilson still seem to be lacking that bit of sharpness in front of goal and one can be sure that the two strikers will improve as United’s pre-season campaign progresses.
(4-5-1)
Via – Lineup Builder
