Manchester United: Predicted Lineup Against Norwich City

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 10: Javier Hernandez of Manchester United celebrates with team-mate Luis Antonio Valencia (R) at the end of the Barclays Premier league match between Aston Villa and Manchester United at Villa Park on November 10, 2012 in Birmingham, England.

Manchester United mounted a memorable comeback, just in time, against Aston Villa to keep a firm hold on the top of the Premier League table.

Clearly, Javier Hernandez was the player of the match for the Red Devils as he scored a brace to bail his team out from the clutches of a loss.

This week, they travel to Carrow Road to face off against Norwich City.

Predicted Lineup

Sir Alex Ferguson has been facing a mini-injury crisis with Wayne Rooney and Jonny Evans is remaining as doubtful for the game. Nemanja Vidic is said to be out till Christmas whereas Phil Jones had shown positive signs in his comeback from injury but is not yet fit to start playing.

Robin Van Persie was also on the injured list as he pulled out from his midweek International Friendly Game against Germany but the Manager maintains that he will play against Norwich.

Formation:

A 4-4-2 formation looks the most preferred one for this squad as attacking from the wings has been the tradition for them and there are very slim chances of not using it.

Defenders:

David De Gea will surely be the keeper for Manchester United as this season had been good for him. Not just because of his timely and brilliant saves but also his handling of the crosses, which has become much better than what it was in the past.

Against Aston Villa, De Gea was managing the aerial attacks by not getting a hold on the ball or trying to catch it, instead he was punching those balls away from the danger spots which shows that he is trying to overcome his weakness.

Rafael is the only Right Back Man United possess at this stage and he is going to have that partnership with Valencia in coming ahead of the wing and providing some crosses.

Patrice Evra’s game had improved a lot in the recent games, call it the Buttner effect if you will, but he is showing great stature in protecting his area.

With Jonny Evans missing, the center back pairing will again consist of Rio Ferdinand and Chris Smalling. The latter had some fine and important tackles against Aston Villa and with Rio gives him solidarity, these two spots are booked with them for sure.

Midfielders:

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 10: Gabriel Agbonlahor of Aston Villa competes with Luis Antonio Valencia of Manchester United during the Barclays Premier league match between Aston Villa and Manchester United at Villa Park on November 10, 2012 in Birmingham, England.

This remains the area of concern for Manchester United and has been for a long time. Against Aston Villa, Scholes and Carrick didn’t play well enough to control the free flowing runs of Gabriel Agbonlahor and Andreas Weimann.

But Alex Ferguson had made some baffling decisions in the past regarding the lineups and this time I am also thinking his way. SAF likes to keep Carrick in the defensive midfielder position and Scholes’ assist for Chicharito against Villa gives enough reason to play him.

The flanks will be occupied by Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young, with the former looking sure to grab that place but with Young it doesn’t looks good. He didn’t had much to do against Villa but had a decent game against Sweden.

But with the International matches fatigue considered Ferguson may take a U-turn and bring out Anderson or maybe Ryan Giggs in his place. Giggs scored that important injury time winner against the same opponents last season. In the end, Ferguson knows the best.

Forwards:

Chicharito, tagged as the United super-sub after the match against Aston Villa, would be raring to start the game and show everyone he is worthy of a starting berth. With Rooney unavailable, Ferguson had already stated that Chicharito will be starting the game at Carrow Road.

Ferguson also hopes that RvP will be fine to start alongside Hernandez. RvP can play a bit behind Chicha so that he can provide the assists to the in-form striker.

With reference to comebacks, I just hope Manchester United don’t have to do that since too much of a good thing is just not good. In order to avoid that, United’s back four have a task at hand.