With the Premier League returning this weekend after a
two-week long break due to the FIFA World Cup qualifiers, Manchester United
resume their title challenge against arch rivals Liverpool at Anfield. The
players return from their international duties, some come back with great
momentum as their respective sides have booked a ticket to Russia in 2018.
United are currently going through a small injury crisis with major causalities
in the midfield with Mourinho’s two faithful generals, Fellaini and Pogba
injured. Fellaini, United’s most recent injured player, got injured during the
international break with Belgium due to a damaged ligament but not a crucial
one. He is expected to be out of the game for a month, missing crucial games
against Liverpool, Spurs, Benfica and Swansea in the Carabao Cup. Romelu Lukaku
was also injured but it was not a concern as the medical team cleared him to
play.
Fellaini who has been in great form, will miss these crunch
encounters and his injury will restrict Jose’s team selection to a
Herrera-Matic axis in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Herrera, United’s Player of The
Year, has been restricted to minimum starts and appearances from the bench with
ratio being 3:4 (starts to bench appearances). Herrera will have to make most of
this chance as he will be the most likely starter for every match alongside
Matic. Carrick will be promoted to the bench, but will not be in line to start.
With the central midfield restricted to only three players, it will add a lot
of pressure on Herrera to impress, as he will be the key element in the
attacking build-up play. His consistency, technicality, vision and intelligence
really helped United last season, becoming the midfield general of the team and
also an inspiring leader in the dressing room and on the pitch. Not to forget
that piece of intelligence in the Europa League final that led to
Mkhitararyan’s goal!
| Fellaini Is Out For A Month. |
Ander, known for his love for the club, commitment and loyalty
led to many fans wanting him to become the clubs next captain, unfortunately
that didn’t happen. The Spain international has expressed his love for the club
on many occasions, saying that it was his childhood dream to play for the Red
Devils, loves the city and the fans and his hunger and determination to win
titles with the club, immediately becoming a fan favourite. United will clearly
miss Fellaini’s aerial dominance, but Herrera’s versatility and technicality
will once again be under the spotlight.
Fellaini was deployed in midfield with a role given to go
forward and head those incoming long balls from corners and crosses, other than
that his pace along with Matic slowed down the game, but they still managed to
defeat teams 4-0. With Herrera’s inclusion, there will be an injection of
precision passes and technical and intelligent gameplay. Playing as a
box-to-box midfielder, Herrera will once again boss the engine room, finding
the open gaps, intercepting through balls and linking the defence with attack.
He also possesses an ability to play defensive by strong challenges on the
opposition and timed tackles in dangerous situations. His vision and eagle eyes
can spot open players and gaps, subsequently starting a counter attack. As
mentioned above, he can be a key man in stopping rival counter attacks and runs
before they even start. His man marking will be useful against Liverpool and
Spurs, like he did against Chelsea last year, keeping Eden Hazard at bay. With Matic playing as defensive midfielder,
Herrera will mostly be let lose in attack and will be given the job of supplying
the attackers and starting an attack.
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| Trip To Liverpool Will Be Vital For Herrera. |
Based on all this, the Liverpool game will be the key match
for Herrera, in which he will be best suited. Liverpool’s weak defence will be
busy keeping Lukaku at bay, but won’t be aware that it will actually be Herrera
opening the gaps and spearheading United’s attack and counters from the centre
of the pitch. Along with Mkhitarayan as support, United will not miss Fellaini
although his air dominance will be missed. Herrera will have to relish this
opportunity and play very well as he once again will become the main player in
the absence of Fellaini and Pogba in midfield. He will once again have to show
the fans his importance, consistency and prove to the manager that he deserves
to return in the starting line-up and give the team a more balanced and
consistent display and finally increase the goal tally and getting the three
points in absence of key players.
Will he become the midfield general and Mr.
Consistent once again?
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