Deadline – day madness ensued at Manchester United, as they signed Daley Blind and in a surprise move, Radamel Falcao on loan. They sold Danny Welbeck and gave Tom Cleverley on loan, as they looked to trade good players for better players. United need to get their season off to a start, after faltering on the starting blocks. United were given a more lenient start by the computer allotting the fixtures, as they supposedly had six easy games to start with. Three games in, United are still winless, and they will look to change that in their game against QPR.
Against QPR today, there will be the emotional return of Rio Ferdinand to Old Trafford. Rio felt shortchanged with his departure after 12 years at the club, as he didn’t get a chance to bid goodbye to the fans who loved him. This game will also give him a chance to show that he is still good enough to play at the top level and prove his detractors wrong, as he might have to take on Radamel Falcao, for which he will have to be at his best. Of he fails, he might draw some flak, as QPR have stuttered, and will want to get their campaign up-and-running immediately. A rock-solid defence will be the way forward, as United’s relatively inexperienced defence will need teething time.
United have six new recruits, and at least 5 of them will start against QPR. United have three relatively easy fixtures to go, and they will want to win all of them. Louis van Gaal will have to change his favoured 3-5-2 formation to a formation with 4 defenders at the back, as the wing-back system does not work very well in the Premier League. Liverpool also experimented with a 3-5-2 formation once last season, but the experiment was soon shelved in favour of a 3-4-3 formation, which reduced the pressure on the wing-backs, as their defensive role was emphasised, with the wingers ahead to attack. United now have the players to fit into a 3-4-3 formation, having acquired Angel di Maria.
United’s 3-5-2 system has looked at all sea in their earlier matches, as the defence is still tender and had off-days. Tyler Blackett has impressed, but the lacklustre form of his partners has hurt United. United haven’t had a formidable midfield presence, with Ander Herrera getting injured just as he was settling down. The addition of Daley Blind to the team is impressive, considering he can play a variety of roles at United. Marcos Rojo can play as well, and could lead United’s defence, with his confident tackling, something that has been missing earlier. Luke Shaw might take time before he can drift into United’s first-team, but a change to 3-4-3 could reduce the pressure on the players on the flanks, enabling Shaw/Rojo to play the wing-back role with Young/Mata playing on the left wing. Mata has played on the wing at Valencia, but has not been very effective on the wing in the Premier League. Likewise, on the right, Valencia/Rafael could play in the wing-back role, with Di Maria/Januzaj playing the advancing role. Blind/Carrick and Herrera could play in the centre of midfield, with Blind also capable of playing at centre-back.
United could also go back to the tried-and-tested 4-2-3-1, with Rafael/Valencia at right-back, Shaw/Blind at left-back, Rojo/Jones/Smalling/Evans/Blackett/Keane in the centre, with Blind/Herrera/Carrick/Fletcher in defensive midfield. The advancing midfield roles could be played by Mata/Rooney/Di Maria/Januzaj/Young and Falcao/van Persie could be the lone striker.
Van Gaal has many options, but the 4-2-3-1 formation has worked in the League for a number of teams. Even if it means that van Gaal has to turn back on his experiment of 3-5-2, the players benefit, as they are best suited to a 4-2-3-1 formation. This formation can accommodate their players perfectly, and could be used by van Gaal to get the best out of his players in the short-term, as the heavy spending has increased the pressure on van Gaal, and mistakes will lead to his sacking.