Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal yet faces the challenge of finding places in his team for a wide array of attacking prowess before Sunday afternoon’s Premier League kickoff at Leicester City.
A week ago, prolific goalscorer and United’s summer signing Radamel Falcao had to make his debut from the bench after his ‘new-look’ team-mates had produced a four-goal cushion at home to Queens Park Rangers. And with Robin van Persie, Wayne Rooney, Adnan Januzaj and James Wilson all fit to play, Dutch boss Van Gaal admitted he has a selection dilemma on his hands in his pre-game conference.
While downplaying suggestions of a direct tussle between Van Persie and Falcao, the 63-year-old also insinuated that other than goalkeeper de Gea, Rooney will always play.
“There are always players you put in a team. My captain shall always play and normally the goalkeeper, so it’s not a surprise,” Van Gaal said.
The rest of the puzzle now relates to which of Falcao or Van Persie probably starts alongside the captain on the forward line.
Insignificant selection worries aside; Micahel Carrick has began light training following an ankle ligament surgery, but the game at Leicester has come too early for the Englishman. Chris Smalling on his own part is back to full fitness.
Marouane Fellaini still faces more than one month on the sidelines; the Belgian midfielder along with Ashley Young, Sam Johnstone, Reece James, Jesse Lingard and James Wilson are the six players which Van Gaal said on Friday remain on a lengthy injury list.
This fixture will only be the ‘Red Devils’s’ second trip to Leicester’s King Power Stadium. Last time they played in the ‘Foxes’s’ new home, Ruud van Nistelrooy’s hat-trick headlined a 4-1 win back in September 2003.
Meanwhile Leicester boss Nigel Pearson is aware of the challenges his side face against a revamped United. But will nevertheless count on his own summer buys Leonardo Ulloa and Esteban Cambiasso to make a difference.
“United look like they have a swagger back, they have added quality,” Pearson, whose Newcastle side (then a caretaker manager) were hammered 6-0 by United in January 2008, said.
Record signing Ulloa has made an impressive start with three goals in four matches so far, while former Inter Milan midfielder Cambiasso only made his debut as a sub in last week’s win at Stoke City.
Leicester are without defender Zoumana Bakayogo, but ex-United midfielder Matty James and Kasper Schmeichel are set to return. United loannee Nick Powell is ineligible to play.
Referee: Mark Clattenburg Kickoff: 13:30 BST (1:30 Nigerian time).
