Memphis Depay will fly into Manchester today to undergo a medical before the arranged transfer between PSV and United becomes reality, sealing one of Europe's hottest young properties. Once the medical is completed and he is given a clean bill of health then the paperwork can go through and he will become an official United player on July 1st. Exciting prospect that he is it does raise questions about how we will use him.
Obviously the first thing to note is that one of our best and most consistent players recently (never thought I'd say that) Ashley Young will be resigned to the bench. What about Di Maria? How will our record signing and genuine world class talent be positioned within the team? What about Nani? Left sided player who has flair and like Young was very inconsistent but on his day can produce something special as his record of assists for United proves....shouldn't he be allowed the same chance at redemption that Young had when he comes back off loan?
Either way it shows our left wing will be top heavy with attacking talent on the left, of course this is mirrored with the left back slot where we have Blind, Shaw and Rojo all fighting for starting positions and all played in that side of the field, with Blackett waiting on the bench for a chance. But what about the right?
It's no secret Van Gaal is scouring for a right back despite having one already at the club - Rafael. It's widely accepted that Rafael will be on his way this summer despite never being allowed a chance in Van Gaal's squad, yes the lad is injury prone but so is Shaw, Rojo, Carrick, Van Persie, Jones and Smalling this season to name but a fair few. So a right winger has been deployed as right back and overall has done an admirable job...not a brilliant one though as his mistakes costs us more than one goal against Everton and Arsenal in the cup. McNair, described by Van Gaal as the clubs possible right back for the next ten years, can't get a game in that position anymore, Smalling and Jones who have played at right back haven't even been considered so it would be doubtful they will be utilised there in the future. For the right back slot next season will be Valencia plus one other and that worries me. What about ahead of them though? On the right wing we have Mata, a quality player but even with his God given talent we are still bare down that side. Young and Nani can easily be deployed down that side if we need to inject pace but that is if it fits the Van Gaal philosophy.
I know you are thinking that we have a certain young Belgian winger on our books who can play there are well, so that's quite a selection headache surely? Well except that he will be shipped out on loan next season for experience and playing time. Nani will also be offloaded and if rumours are to be believed then so will Di Maria. ..and of course Rafael. Which leaves our right side very thin if we face another injury crisis as we did this season, which also wasn't a rare thing under Sir Alex either.
Depay is an excellent first signing but with Clyne looking as if he might stay at Southampton and Chelsea rumoured to be after a right back also then we might need to keeping Rafael instead of just throwing him onto the scrapheap with maybe a short term loan deal put in place to keep him competitive if Van Gaal still thinks a starting place is beneath Rafael...same idea could be pushed through with McNair because with Jones, Smalling, Rojo plus any new additions then it could be a while before he see's competitive football. One thing the majority have seen that Van Gaal has yet to is that Valencia is not the option for the right side of defence and at times has gone wandering more than an aborigine. But if the media are correct and we have £150 million to spend then any finances we get from the sale of players must be invested to the right side where we are very thin, and with Champions League matches and hopefully a better cup run, then we will need cover rather than playing players out of position which weakens the team.
Obviously the first thing to note is that one of our best and most consistent players recently (never thought I'd say that) Ashley Young will be resigned to the bench. What about Di Maria? How will our record signing and genuine world class talent be positioned within the team? What about Nani? Left sided player who has flair and like Young was very inconsistent but on his day can produce something special as his record of assists for United proves....shouldn't he be allowed the same chance at redemption that Young had when he comes back off loan?
Either way it shows our left wing will be top heavy with attacking talent on the left, of course this is mirrored with the left back slot where we have Blind, Shaw and Rojo all fighting for starting positions and all played in that side of the field, with Blackett waiting on the bench for a chance. But what about the right?
It's no secret Van Gaal is scouring for a right back despite having one already at the club - Rafael. It's widely accepted that Rafael will be on his way this summer despite never being allowed a chance in Van Gaal's squad, yes the lad is injury prone but so is Shaw, Rojo, Carrick, Van Persie, Jones and Smalling this season to name but a fair few. So a right winger has been deployed as right back and overall has done an admirable job...not a brilliant one though as his mistakes costs us more than one goal against Everton and Arsenal in the cup. McNair, described by Van Gaal as the clubs possible right back for the next ten years, can't get a game in that position anymore, Smalling and Jones who have played at right back haven't even been considered so it would be doubtful they will be utilised there in the future. For the right back slot next season will be Valencia plus one other and that worries me. What about ahead of them though? On the right wing we have Mata, a quality player but even with his God given talent we are still bare down that side. Young and Nani can easily be deployed down that side if we need to inject pace but that is if it fits the Van Gaal philosophy.
I know you are thinking that we have a certain young Belgian winger on our books who can play there are well, so that's quite a selection headache surely? Well except that he will be shipped out on loan next season for experience and playing time. Nani will also be offloaded and if rumours are to be believed then so will Di Maria. ..and of course Rafael. Which leaves our right side very thin if we face another injury crisis as we did this season, which also wasn't a rare thing under Sir Alex either.
Depay is an excellent first signing but with Clyne looking as if he might stay at Southampton and Chelsea rumoured to be after a right back also then we might need to keeping Rafael instead of just throwing him onto the scrapheap with maybe a short term loan deal put in place to keep him competitive if Van Gaal still thinks a starting place is beneath Rafael...same idea could be pushed through with McNair because with Jones, Smalling, Rojo plus any new additions then it could be a while before he see's competitive football. One thing the majority have seen that Van Gaal has yet to is that Valencia is not the option for the right side of defence and at times has gone wandering more than an aborigine. But if the media are correct and we have £150 million to spend then any finances we get from the sale of players must be invested to the right side where we are very thin, and with Champions League matches and hopefully a better cup run, then we will need cover rather than playing players out of position which weakens the team.