(Manchester United News)
Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal revealed on Friday that he has a puzzle to solve regarding his team selection for the Chelsea clash due to the absence of four key individuals.
Michael Carrick, Daley Blind, Marcos Rojo and Phil Jones all look set to miss the Stamford Bridge showdown on Saturday after sustaining injuries during the 4-2 derby defeat of Manchester City.
It will leave the United boss pondering how to line up against the Barclays Premier League leaders and fans can predict the XI in our competition and attempt to win exclusive prizes.
With Jonny Evans serving the final game of his six-match suspension, Chris Smalling should be a certain starter but there is doubt over the identity of his defensive partner. Paddy McNair, Tyler Blackett and Tom Thorpe are part of the senior squad and all featured earlier in the campaign.
McNair has made 14 appearances in total and could be considered favourite, although Blackett might get the nod if van Gaal wants a left-footed option - the most recent of his 10 outings came as a substitute during the defeat to Southampton in January.
Under-21 captain Thorpe made the briefest of debuts in September's victory over West Ham but sat out the latest second-string clash against the same opponents. The choice at left-back looks straightforward with Luke Shaw available to replace Blind, although Blackett and Ashley Young have also filled the role. In midfield, Blind would surely have been viewed as the natural deputy for Carrick so the absence of the pair leaves the boss with a real conundrum. He nominated Wayne Rooney as an option but, of course, that would take the in-form striker out of the attack. Nonetheless, the skipper seems to be the likeliest candidate.
Marouane Fellaini has performed a holding role in the past but has been particularly effective further forward while Ander Herrera, like Juan Mata and Angel Di Maria, is more noted for his attacking work. A youngster who plays in a similar position, Ben Pearson, is out on loan at Barnsley and it would be a huge leap for an untested member of the Academy to be plunged into such a high-profile fixture so such a move is virtually ruled out. An outside bet would be Antonio Valencia switching to central midfield, as he did against Everton, and Rafael operating at right-back.
If Rooney does drop deeper, of course it will free up a place in attack with Radamel Falcao waiting in the wings, along with James Wilson, although Robin van Persie has not been deemed ready to return from an ankle problem. Of course, a switch to a different formation, as McNair, Blackett and Smalling all featured in a 3-5-2 during the win at Arsenal, would throw up even more possibilities!
