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David Moyes’ Manchester United travel to the Hawthorns to take on Pepe Mel’s side in Saturday’s early kick off encounter which holds significant importance for either teams for entirely different reasons.
While the Red Devils will look to grab three points from the clash to keep their hopes of qualifying for Europe, the Baggies who are currently languishing in seventeenth need a win of their own in their quest to stave off relegation. Thanks to Manchester City’s Capital One Cup triumph, the sixth place in the Premier League has opened up for Europa League qualification, adding extra significance to the match in the Midlands.
Here is David Moyes’ strongest possible eleven to face the Baggies in what could be an extremely significant clash.
Goalkeeping:
David De Gea will be under the sticks for the travelling side. De Gea’s ball distribution has been way off color this in few games and it’s perhaps time for the Spaniard to lead from the back and get counted.
Defence:
The likes of Jonny Evans, Rafael and Phil Jones Rafael are not fully fit and might not make it on time for the game which leaves Moyes with an option to play the veteran duo Vidic and Ferdinand in the heart of the defence. And at right back it should be Smalling, while Frenchman Patrice Evra should be filling up the left wing back role.
It has been confirmed that Evans will be sideline for another three weeks, which leaves Moyes with no option than to use Ferdinand alongside Vidic.
Midfield
Michael Carrick should be playing in the middle of the pitch and while if I was David Moyes, I would play Phil Jones to play in the destructive defensive midfield role to break up the opposition play. However, if Jones doesn’t recover completely, it would be sensible to play Fellaini alongside Carrick. This will help Carrick with his passing array to find Mata and possibly Janujaz, both of whom should play out wide. Both the wide men are also expected to create opportunities throughout the match while also making space for the overlapping runs of the full backs to make the pitch as wide as possible.
Strikeforce:
Both Wayne Rooney and Robin Van Persie will lead the United attack and be looking to grab whatever chances that fall on their path. It will be interesting to see how Rooney plays in this match, dropping deep to compensate Mata and Janujaz’s wide role or play just off Van Persie more in the final third. One thing is for sure, if both Rooney and RVP get into their groves early into the encounter, United will be on the right side of the scoreline and more importantly grab three points in their kitty.
