What if Van Gaal swap these two players?

If Manchester United first game against Tottenham is an introduction to Van Gaal’s formation and tactics this season, then some players in the United team may likely be underutilized.   Van Gaal was widely reported to be planning to adopt a 4- 3-3 formation for United this season.

This formation though not entirely strange to Manchester United fans, is relatively new when compared to the traditional 4-4-2 that made United one of the most successful team in the world under the era of Sir Alex Ferguson. This formation relied so much on wingers. Hence United were known to have raised some of the greatest wingers in world football. From C. Ronaldo, Ryan Giggs, David Beckham, Eric Cantona and the list is almost endless.  The formation required pace, speed and allowed quick transition from defence to attack. Hence United was then known as a predator team that can score anytime.

This summer United signed a young winger with amazing potential, in Memphis Depay. The

Dutchman scored 22 goals for Dutch champions PSV last season.  He’s a traditional winger who can in the course of play attack from both wings and the centre.  On joining United a lot of fans thought United had gotten a layer who may return United to the good old days, when the team had fast, dazzling wingers. But the fans may be wrong. Manger Van Gaal seems to have other plans for Depay.   

United’s first game of the season clearly showed what plan Van Gaal has for Depay. To play him in an advance midfield role, right behind the striker. But in a game where United were not as effective as they could be, Depay looked like a shadow of a player we knew and expected him to be, though it’s still early to judge. He was visibly unhappy at being substituted.  And would have loved to influence the game more.

In the game against Tottenham, Depay played behind the front three of Ashley Young, Wayne Rooney and Juan Mata.  Mata played from the right wing. A position he is swiftly adapting to, conspiring he plated there a lot last season.  But in all honesty lacks the strength, pace and speed of a typical winger.  

Juan Mata seems more suited to attacking and dictating the play from the central attacking midfield position.  His best performances for Chelsea were from that position. He scored 12 goals for Chelsea during the 2012/2013 and had a lot of assists to his credit playing from behind the striker. He’ll get into those dangerous attacking positions, pick up the lose balls and initiate attacks.

For now Van Gaal seem to have the right players that can play his desired formation. It’s a matter of plying the right players in the right positions. He once said he may return Depay to the wings if he’s not effective from the centre. The earlier he does that the better, but in doing that, it will be almost perfect if Mata returns to the middle, behind Rooney.

If care is not taken Depay may face a problem similar to Di Maria, which is playing him out of position and he just might be under intense pressure when he is returned to his favourite position.