How can Manchester United cope without Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie?

Manchester United are struggling to cope without Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney

If there is one thing that was nigh on certain to happen, ever since Robin van Persie’s arrival from Arsenal, it was the fact that he was bound to get injured. Whether it was due to Moyes’s training methods, which apparently overworked the Dutchman or just age catching up to him, United certainly haven’t been the same without the prolific Dutchman. But, that isn’t to say that United didn’t see that one coming. Because in all his time with Arsenal, Van Persie had managed just one injury-free season with Arsenal, and that was the one before he joined United. And, as prolific as he was last time around, it was just a matter of time before he got injured.

Whilst Van Persie’s injury was certainly coming, United could have very well done without Wayne Rooney going out injured as well. The Englishman limped off with a recurrence of the groin problem that has tormented him in the past and was in Egypt for hot-weather training, before returning to Manchester earlier today. While the Dutchman scored the goals that won them the title last season, Rooney was instrumental in pulling the strings and contributing to his team in every way possible.

In an ideal world, Moyes would have loved to have the duo at his disposal at all times, but such is the nature of football that, injuries are bound to happen. And as it, stands, United go into one of their toughest assignments of this year without the duo against Chelsea on Sunday. So, what can Moyes do? Not just against Chelsea, but in the eventuality that the duo take longer to recover? How can the Scot adjust his lineup to attack so that he makes best use of the players at his disposal?

Play players in their natural positions

If the evidence of their comfortable 2-0 win over Swansea is anything to go by, the one and only thing he has to do is play players in their natural positions. United started the game with Valencia and Kagawa on either flanks with Januzaj playing just off Welbeck as United’s main attacking threat.

Shinji Kagawa’s first half heat map vs Swansea

In the first half, Kagawa played on the left flank and looked isolated and was almost anonymous, playing just five passes in the entire half.

Shinji Kagawa’s second half heat map vs Swansea

However, in the second half, with Januzaj moving to the left, Kagawa played in a role he is more accustomed and the Japanese play-maker flourished. From being non-existent to being the center of anything good emanating from United, Kagawa certainly showed Moyes just what he is capable of, if played in the right position. Kagawa’s switch to the centre off Welbeck not only improved his own performance, but also meant that Januzaj moved out to the left wing.

Adnan Januzaj’s heat map vs Swansea

And the Belgian teenager showed just why he is so highly regarded at Old Trafford by turning in a performance that was reminiscent of Ryan Giggs in his early days. And although comparisons between the duo are far too soon, it is safe to say that the Belgian, barring injury, isn’t ready to relinquish the left wing for some time now. Whilst he made his mark on the game in the first half itself, with his constant interchanging with both Valencia and Kagawa, it was in the second half that he had his finest hour yet for United.

Not only did Januzaj play well, the Belgian also brought Evra into the game and the Frenchman’s forays into the box were a joy to behold. The Frenchman was instrumental in starting plenty of attacks and his link-up play with the Belgian was something that hasn’t been seen on the left flank for United ever since Giggs moved into a more central position.

On top of all this, Welbeck, playing as the lone striker has done his job to perfection. His performance against Swansea earned him a man of the match award, in a game that saw him not just score a goal but also finish it with a pass completion rate of 97%.

Always playing on the last man, with the ability to both drop back and receive the ball and run in behind the defense, the English forward presented his case for being the third best striker at the club. With both Rooney and Van Persie absent, Welbeck scored his sixth Premier League goal in as many games and for the third game in succession to seal all three points for Moyes. And on the evidence of his displays in the past few weeks, it looks as though he is finally fulfilling his potential.

So, it looks as though Moyes has finally found the right balance between his attackers and with Fletcher and Carrick getting back to full fitness, it looks as if their central midfield plans are also being bolstered as we speak. So United should head into the clash against Chelsea in a confident mood with the side playing with a lot of courage and determination.

And how should United line up without Rooney and Van Persie? To make the best use of the resources at hand, Moyes would be better off starting with the team that finished the game at Swansea – Welbeck leading the line, Valencia and Januzaj on either wing with Kagawa just playing off the Englishman. This is how the team would look like:

Whether that is good enough to beat Chelsea this Sunday or any of the other top teams remains to be seen. But with this attack, United will certainly pose a very real threat to any defence in the Premier League.