Manchester United Transfers: Picking a Starting XI to Include Lucas Moura

With the trail linking Manchester United to Sao Paulo phenom Lucas Moura currently red hot, now would be an opportune time to envisage exactly how a player like him would be accommodated in a team that has traditionally employed a conventional 4-4-2 formation (via Daily Mail).

Perhaps it is this almost outdated system that manager Sir Alex Ferguson is seeking to change in pursuing a player like Lucas, who is accustomed to a role that allows him more freedom in drifting into central positions.

This slideshow will predict the 10 players who would line up alongside Lucas were a transfer to take place.

Time to have a bit of fun.

Goalkeeper: David de Gea

An easy one to start us off.

Although back-up goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard proved himself no slouch during his brief spell between United's sticks, David de Gea's progression over the course of the season gave fans much optimism that he would eventually show himself worthy of his £17 million price tag.

The young Spaniard is an exceptional talent, and will need all the playing time he can get to further his education in British football.

Sir Alex will only hope he doesn't pick up a serious injury in London this summer.

Back Four: Rafael, Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand, Leighton Baines

Predicting United's back four is a much harder task.

Rafael will start the season as first choice right-back, having recently signed a new contract.

After a long spell out injured, Nemanja Vidic will certainly return to the centre of defence, with the captain's armband back around his bicep for company.

I predict Rio Ferdinand to be United's first choice centre-back, ahead of youngsters Phil Jones and Chris Smalling, who, despite possessing all the attributes needed to one day make it at the club, looked shaky at times when tested in the central position.

Unfortunately, United's most improved player of last season, Jonny Evans, may also find his place in the team marginalised, unless the Reds were to suffer another spate of injuries akin to last year's epidemic.

Unless Everton remain stubborn in regards to their pricing the worth of Leighton Baines, his signing will most likely take place to secure Sir Alex's bid to reduce the role of the aging Patrice Evra, who has looked decidedly shaky for at least the past three years.

Holding Midfielders: Michael Carrick, Paul Scholes

Here's where it gets interesting.

For United to successfully adopt Lucas into the team, a more continental five-man midfield will need to be deployed to maximise the player's potential.

This means two sitting deep and three roaming ahead of them in roles that give the attacking midfielders greater freedom than in the more rigid 4-4-2 formation.

With Scholes already signed on to play for one more season, and Darren Fletcher (hopefully) returning from injury, it seems Sir Alex may have decided against signing a player to fill the "problem position" that has plagued United for the past few seasons.

But Michael Carrick is no slouch, and is coming off the back of arguably his finest campaign in a red shirt.

Paul Scholes will also walk in to the team when fit, having well and truly showed his worth in the second half of last season.

Attacking Midfielders: Antonio Valencia, Shinji Kagawa, Lucas Moura

In deploying this formation, Antonio Valencia will be required to suitably adapt his game, otherwise he runs the risk of losing his place to Nani, who is far better at drifting in onto his weaker foot.

In fact, it would be fair to say that Antonio Valencia has no left foot whatsoever.

Lucas would also do battle with Ashley Young for the left-sided role in this three-behind-the-striker attacking midfield.

The necessity for this is due to Lucas's lack of size, because if he were asked to play as a more traditional left winger, he would run the risk of getting overrun and overwhelmed, much in the same manner as Young and Milner were at the Euros.

New signing Shiji Kagawa gets the nod in the trequartista role, playing just off the striker.

But if Sir Alex wanted to give either Danny Welbeck or Javier Hernandez more playing time, Wayne Rooney would also be capable of dropping back and playing in the hole.

Striker: Wayne Rooney

It is when Wayne Rooney tries to put too much on his own shoulders, that his form suffers.

He is, and has always been, most effective as the lone man up front.

This is unfortunate for Welbeck and Chicharito, but is necessary if this formation is to succeed.

As previously stated, Rooney is capable of dropping back into attacking midfield, but he has not yet proven that he can excel in this role.

Also look for Will Keane to get the odd minutes as he becomes United's fourth option in attack.