Robin Van Persie Should Be Odd Striker out in Manchester United's Attacking Trio

Such is the shape and dynamic of Louis van Gaal's completed Manchester United squad, the Dutchman is bound to endure more than one or two headaches as they gear up to face QPR this weekend.

There is plenty for Van Gaal to muse over when he attempts to field an XI capable of getting United's stuttering season up and running, with midfield a primary area of focus for many people. However, United's depth all across the park means there's also a major attacking dilemma on LVG's hands this weekend.

The arrival of Falcao was far from a necessity for United, but he gives them plenty of firepower up top in a season which is largely going to be dominated by strikers. Chelsea and Arsenal have both strengthened in that area, with Manchester City and Liverpool still looking particularly strong.

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There's just one main issue, though. Unless Van Gaal goes with three out-and-out strikers up top (highly unlikely), then how do you fit Falcao, Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie into the side? Three into two (or even one) doesn't go, so someone must miss out.

And unfortunately for Van Gaal's Dutch compatriot, logic dictates it should really be Van Persie who is the odd one out. That isn't to say Van Persie isn't up to the job of starting anymore, but he just doesn't really fit in at this moment in time.

He may possibly have been the leading candidate for the striking berth back when Van Gaal took over, but circumstances have meant he has dropped well down the pecking order. Falcao isn't going to be in Manchester to make up the numbers, and the quality he possesses means he will surely be starting this weekend. That's a given, so it leaves Wayne Rooney and Van Persie tussling it out for one spot, whether that is upfront alongside Falcao or just behind him.

Given how Rooney is the captain of United, that alone would be enough to suggest he'll start. However, you also have to factor in the encouraging signs Rooney displayed whilst playing upfront for England against Switzerland on Monday night.

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Roy Hodgson finally gave in and played Rooney where he belongs: alongside another striker. In this instance it was Danny Welbeck, but the prospect of an in-form Rooney (playing in position) alongside the destructive Falcao makes it a no-brainer.

And in truth, Van Persie has really struggled in United's opening two games. Per WhoScored.com, three shots and no key passes, assists or goals make for grim reading and suggest that he isn't really on top form at the moment. If Van Gaal is as studious as he comes across, then he will have watched England's (and Rooney's) performance on Monday night and worked out that to get the best out of his captain, he needs to be played upfront.

With the wealth of attacking midfielders United have at their disposal, it also makes sense for those men to be playing there and not squeezing Rooney in out of position. He and Falcao should be ready to lead the line for Manchester United this weekend, and that means that for Robin van Persie, the bench is the only realistic option.