EPL Gameweek 6: How will Manchester United line-up against West Brom?

This week, we see Manchester United line up against West Bromwich Albion at the Theatre of Dreams.

Although their last match was a disaster, they sort of found their feet against Liverpool in the Capital One Cup tie in midweek. On the run, they will look for another win against West Brom to improve their league standing from eighth.

Let’s see their possible line up:

United are expected to line up in their usual 4-2-3-1/4-4-1-1 with two strikers, and one of them playing as the trequartista.

Starting from the back, David de Gea is assured of a spot in the goal.

Coming to the defence, we may see Moyes start with the Rio-Vidic combo once again. In the mid-week United, went with Evans and Smalling who looked comfortable, but may be rested for this tie keeping in mind the UCL match at the Donbass Arena in midweek against Shakthar Donetsk.

At right back, we may see Fabio getting a chance after his brother had a run-in against Liverpool. Rafael has just returned from injury and may not be ready to play twice in three days. Moyes is likely to play safe with Rafael, again keeping in mind the midweek fixture.

The left back spot is assured for Evra. He was rested against Liverpool and is sure to start against West Brom.

Moving on down the pitch, we may see Carrick and Fellaini return to the starting XI for this match. Carrick came on as a substitute against Liverpool and Fellaini could not play since he was cup-tied.

So this should see both of them return against West Brom. Cleverly is yet to be confirmed as match-fit and we can expect him to be out of this match.

Coming to the wide areas, Valencia is likely to start as the right winger after being rested against Liverpool. Nani has just played against Liverpool and is unlikely to make the starting XI. Moyes can take a gamble in this match by playing Adnan Janujaz in the left wing in this match. He did perform well when he came on as a substitute against Crystal Palace and a start is never off the cards.

The strike duo is expected to be Rooney and Chicharito with Rooney playing in the hole and Chicharito as the target man. Rooney has been United’s most consistent performer this season with 6 assists and 4 goals and that should see him start the match.

Chicharito, who was handed his first start this season against Liverpool may start once more against West Brom after scoring the only goal against Liverpool. He is one of the best strikers around but has seen his game time reduced by the indomitable presence of Robin Van Persie.

Though Moyes has hinted at his return, if Van Persie is still not able to fully recover from his pulled groin, we may see Javier Hernandez getting the nod this time ahead of Welbeck.

After winning just two games out of the opening five, this has been United’s worst start since the 2004/05 season. So, a win against would propel the team which has looked unconvincing to say the least. David Moyes has played it safe till now but must look to making bold decisions like SAF did to make his mark at Old Trafford.

The team looked completely lost against City in the derby and the defenders never put a foot right. Moyes should look to get over with that and loss and make sure he doesn’t take a defensive approach which allows the opposition to dominate the game.

Predicted Line up: David de Gea; Fabio da Silva, Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic, Patrice Evra; Maraoune Fellaini, Michael Carrick; Antonio Valencia, Wayne Rooney, Adnan Janujaz; Javier Hernandez

Subs : Anders Lindegaard, Phil Jones, Jonny Evans, Shinji Kagawa, Anderson, Wilfried Zaha, Danny Welbeck

Predicted scoreline – Manchester United 3-0 West Brom