Manchester United: Picking a Starting XI to Include Wilfried Zaha

Darren Richman — Wed, 22 May 2013 13:27:55 -0400

Next season is a crucial one for Manchester United.

With the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson and the arrival of David Moyes, change is in the air at Old Trafford.

Moyes is not the only notable man coming in, though. The playoff final between Crystal Palace and Watford on Monday will be Wilfried Zaha's final appearance for the Eagles. Officially he is already a United player and he's currently on loan in South London. Next season, he might well be a key part of Moyes' squad.

Zaha can play either as a winger or a striker but, given the fact that Antonio Valencia, Luis Nani and Ashley Young all disappointed out wide this campaign, it is on the wing where he's most likely to find himself utilised.

Picking a starting XI for next season incorporating the young starlet is by no means a simple task. Each match will be judged on its merits since football is far more of a squad game these days than ever before. Despite this, here is one man's guess at a 4-4-1-1 counterattacking formation in a similar vein to tactics used by Ferguson in some of the biggest games of recent years.

There is absolutely no question that the goalkeeper has to be David de Gea. The young Spaniard excelled this term and was rewarded with his first Premier League winners' medal. If the 5-5 draw on the final day against West Brom showed us anything, it is that Anders Lindegaard is nothing like as accomplished as the club's No. 1.

The right-back position is another with one outstanding candidate. Rafael da Silva was arguably United's player of the season, adding defensive solidity to his tremendous attacking prowess.

Although the team still look at their most solid with Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand in the centre of defence, the veterans don't quite have what it takes to play twice a week these days. It is highly likely Phil Jones and Johnny Evans, two extremely promising young players, will continue to feature in place of one or the other stalwart on a regular basis. Chris Smalling, if he can maintain his fitness, is another youngster likely to play more often in the years to come.

Patrice Evra is still United's best left-back by quite some distance. Although Alexander Buttner has not quite proven to be the disastrous signing some fans feared, he is clearly not up to the standard required in the toughest encounters.

With Nani likely to leave and Young as frustrating as ever, one can only hope Valencia's poor form this season has been an aberration. He's the only real candidate for the right wing slot but, on current form, it's safe to say he's the best of a bad bunch.

In the centre of midfield, on the assumption that Wayne Rooney will leave rather than reinvent himself as the next Roy Keane, Michael Carrick and Tom Cleverley are the likely starters. Carrick had a magnificent campaign, his best since joining the club, while Cleverley is another youngster starting to look the part.

Though right-footed, Zaha's best chance of a starting place is on the left wing. Ryan Giggs is not getting any younger, and Moyes would be wise to tell his young charge to seize the moment. If his dazzling Championship form can translate to the Premier League then there is much excitement in store.

Up front, Robin van Persie, off the back of a marvellous debut season at the club, must start. It might make sense for him to play behind one of Danny Welbeck of Javier Hernandez. Welbeck has been in fine form, but it hasn't quite led to an abundance of goals. On that basis alone, Hernandez just edges ahead of him in this starting XI.

The season has only just concluded, and there are likely to be plenty more comings and goings in the transfer window before the Premier League returns. Different games will require different tactics and personnel. For all that, the starting XI described here would win a fair few games, and in style—which is all one can ever ask for as a fan.

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Manchester United: Is It Time for Javier Hernandez to Leave Manchester United?

Darren Richman — Mon, 20 May 2013 09:00:00 -0400

Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez, the little pea with the big heart, is one of the most popular players for the Manchester United faithful.

The baby-faced assassin never seen without a smile on his face is the natural heir to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, one of the most beloved figures in the club's illustrious history.

The affable Mexican has repeatedly stated his desire to be considered a good person, as well as a good footballer, and some stories have already become part of Old Trafford folklore.

There was the time he returned to a supermarket with a signed shirt for a United-supporting employee who helped him find the pasta he desired. Or the moment he shared a laugh with Chelsea's Petr Cech after the goalkeeper's stunning save from his header kept the blues in the FA Cup.

Just last week, when United were presented with the Premier League trophy at Old Trafford, Hernandez chased Sir Alex Ferguson halfway across the pitch shouting "boss, boss" in order to have his photograph taken with both the trophy and the departing manager.

Hernandez thanks God for the opportunity to play for Manchester United before every game, and he considers it "an achievement and a blessing" to have played under one of the greatest managers in the history of the game.

The striker says all the right things and delivers on the pitch almost whenever he's called upon. One just wonders whether he'll be content to play out his career as an impact substitute, like Solskjaer before him, or whether he might think about moving on.

Hernandez would be foolish to consider a move at this point in his career. With Wayne Rooney looking increasingly likely to leave Old Trafford this summer, the stage is set for the 24-year-old to shine. Robin van Persie will likely start most games, presumably partnered by Danny Welbeck, Hernandez, or both.

Chicharito is the one true out-and-out poacher on the squad, and given Welbeck's return of just one league goal this season, it is crucial a prolific goalscorer is retained. If not, one injury to van Persie could signal the end of any serious trophy charge.

Hernandez has all the attributes to become one of the finest strikers in the world. He is fast, two-footed, and, despite his height, superb in the air. His unorthodox header against Stoke in his first season was described by Lee Dixon as one of the best he had ever seen, and it truly gets better with every viewing. It was certainly preferable to the one he scored on his competitive debut in the 2010 Community Shield when his shot deflected off his own face and into the net. Still, they all count.

The fact is, Chicharito has a habit of scoring goals and winning games. In the first half of this season, his goals against Newcastle and Aston Villa were absolutely crucial in United's ultimately successful bid to reclaim the title.

Hernandez is already a cult hero, but if he plays his cards right in the next few seasons, he might just become a true one. And that's reason enough to stick around.

Follow @darrenrichman

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Bleacher Report - Javier Hernández

Manchester United: Picking a Starting XI to Include Wilfried Zaha

Manchester United: Is It Time for Javier Hernandez to Leave Manchester United?