Louis Van Gaal Facing Selection Headache to Fit Star Strikers in Man United Team
Louis van Gaal has lifted the mood at Old Trafford with his transfer business this summer.
But he's also given himself a selection headache. He might not have signed the dynamic midfielder the fans wanted. Or the dominating centre-half in the mould of Nemanja Vidic.
But he did get Angel Di Maria and Radamel Falcao, so he's not done too badly.
Van Gaal's job now is to fit them all into the same team. And he'll find that especially hard when he comes to picking his strikers.
Falcao, Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie are among the best in the world at what they do. They are big names who would expect to start at most of Europe's top clubs.
When Van Gaal was asked during the summer tour of the United States why he introduced his 3-5-2 system, he said repeatedly it was because he wanted to play with two central strikers.
With Rooney and Van Persie in his squad, it made sense. But now he has three.
He does have options. He could pair Van Persie and Falcao up front with Rooney in the hole behind. But where does that leave Juan Mata?
Or he could play with them all as a front three. But that would probably mean playing with Rooney and Van Persie out wide, a position neither of them like very much.
Alternatively, one could be made to wait for their chance on the bench.
Van Persie has rubbished speculation he needs knee surgery. Falcao played for Colombia against Brazil in Miami on Friday night.
Rooney hasn't played well so far this season, but there were signs in his performance for England against Switzerland that might be changing.
All three are expected back at Carrington this week, ready to play QPR at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Van Gaal has been restricted by his limited options so far this season.
He found players at Old Trafford that weren't up to his high standards and his 3-5-2 was also designed to hide deficiencies in midfield and in defence. He hasn't been helped by injuries, either.
But when he comes to name his team on Sunday, at least up front, that shouldn't be a problem.
The fans were desperate for United to make a splash in the transfer market this summer. Executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward delivered. And now it's up to Van Gaal to carry out his end of the deal.
He had the final say on every new arrival. And with it, he accepted the job of building a team out of the players he has at his disposal. This weekend at Old Trafford should offer a first glimpse of what that might be.
Trying to fit three players with the quality and reputation of Falcao, Rooney and Van Persie into the same team is a good problem to have. But it's a problem, nonetheless.
