Manchester United: How They Should Line Up in EPL Showdown vs. QPR

Though United have started dismally with only two points taken from three games, optimism is finally beginning to grow in Manchester.

Louis Van Gaal has brought much-needed pace to the side with Angel Di Maria, upgraded the attack with Radamel Falcao, and bolstered the midfield with Daley Blind.

Now, it is time for Van Gaal to figure out how to fit these talented players into United's XI, and that starts against QPR on Saturday.

With little success coming from the 3-4-1-2 formation, and enough talented players now in the squad to allow for a different look, a 4-4-2 diamond should be an option for Van Gaal to consider.

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GK: David De Gea

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De Gea has blossomed into a fine goalkeeper

Probably the only area of United's XI not up for debate, the talented De Gea will get the start against QPR.

He'll look to get some more help from his defense too, as he's already conceded seven times in four competitions.

LB: Luke Shaw

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Luke Shaw could debut this Sunday for United

If Van Gaal wants to switch to a back four, it seems that now is certainly the time do so.

Summer signing and 19-year-old wunderkind Luke Shaw has healed from his hamstring injury, reported by James Andrews of the Daily Mail, and should debut this weekend in the left of defense.

If he gets the start, the elements of rust and pressure could understandably bring down his performance, but he'll be expected to at least bring pace and tenacity to a defensive unit that has looked feeble so far. 

LCB: Marcos Rojo

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Rojo should improve the United defense

Also a left-back, and also unavailable for United in recent weeks (work-permit issues), Marcos Rojo looks set to finally debut for United as well. 

The Argentine will likely feature in the center of defense, as Shaw looks to occupy the left, and Phil Jones will not be able to go after injuring his hamstring.

With his versatility, and United's lack of talent at center-back, Rojo could make the left-center-back role his own with a strong showing vs. QPR.

RCB: Jonny Evans

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Evans needs to perform for a United back line that has been disappointing so far

When placed alongside sexy new signings Radamel Falcao and Angel Di Maria, Jonny Evans looks a dull and uninspiring option.

However, he is all United have at center-back right now.

Phil Jones is injured, Chris Smalling has been unable to find form, and Marcos Rojo has yet to play a game for the club.

United will be counting on him to replicate his performance vs. Swansea City—a tidy four interceptions and 96 percent pass completion rate—and provide leadership and poise to what looks to be a largely untested and unfamiliar back line.

RB: Rafael Da Silva

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Rafael Da Silva has also missed significant time this campaign

Yet another defender who has missed significant time this season due to injury, Rafael will be looking to slot into his favored right-back role and start strongly after a poor season under David Moyes.

After all the spending United have done, the only right-backs behind Rafael are Michael Keane and Antonio Valencia—the former being largely raw and inexperienced and the latter not being a pure defender.

If Rafael can replicate his form from the 2012-13 season, he will quickly win over the support of Van Gaal and assume a fair amount of responsibility.

Here's hoping for more attacking contribution than silly fouls from the Brazilian on Saturday.

DM: Daley Blind

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Van Gaal already knows the talents of Blind

Though he is a new signing, Blind's ability and versatility are already well-known to his former Dutch national team manager Van Gaal.

After playing left-back for the Oranje in the World Cup, Blind should play the same position he played for Ajax, and United's greatest position of need: Defensive midfield.

While he is adept at getting forward, Blind will be tasked with breaking up play with hard tackles and savvy reading of the game in the center of the park in his United debut.

LCM: Angel Di Maria

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Di Maria should be even more comfortable in his second match for United

Despite an embarrassing 0-0 tie with Burnley, Angel Di Maria impressed individually in his inaugural United match.

The Argentine had one key pass, three completed dribbles, and drew two fouls, displaying his burgeoning speed and tricky feet.

Di Maria looks to be a lock in the United XI, but look for him to have an even better showing than his last with the first-game jitters gone away, Daley Blind behind him to take off a little bit of defensive burden, and a role that allows him to utilize space on the wings.

RCM: Ander Herrera

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Herrera was decent against Swansea in his debut

After sustaining an ankle injury against Swansea City and being sidelined for a few weeks, Ander Herrera is available to play against QPR, reports Jamie Jackson of The Guardian, and should be considered over Darren Fletcher and Tom Cleverley for a spot in the midfield.

Herrera wasn't amazing against Swansea, but showed flashes of brilliance, once sublimely controlling the ball and generally showing decent composure in the center of the park.

With his playmaking ability, as well as his willingness to track back, he should be right back in the thick of Van Gaal's plans.

CAM: Juan Mata

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Juan Mata has had a slow start to the season

Let's get this straight —Juan Mata has been disappointing in his three EPL appearances this year.

Now that we've gotten that out of the way, let's also remember that the Spaniard is an immensely talented player on his day, and United's best at the No. 10 position.

The talisman's performances have been lackluster thus far, but then again—so has the whole team's.

Expect Mata to greatly benefit from the additions of Radamel Falcao and Daley Blind to the lineup, and look like the playmaker he can be.

LS: Wayne Rooney

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Rooney is a talented player, but needs a bit more consistency in his game

As the current captain of Manchester United, the question is no longer if to play Wayne Rooney, but where.

Most likely, Rooney will remain as part of a two-man striking unit, a decision that allows him and Radamel Falcao to play in their favored roles.

With the captain's armband firmly on his arm, and United now loaded with attacking talent, the time is now for Rooney to produce.

RS: Radamel Falcao

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United want to see new boy Falcao produce

With Wayne Rooney—right or wrong—almost undroppable as club captain, Van Gaal must decide between starting Robin Van Persie or Radamel Falcao alongside him.

Though Van Persie had a strong World Cup showing, his form has sputtered to start this EPL campaign, as he stands without a goal in two matches. His uninvolved and perhaps even disinterested showings have forced him to deny injury rumors.

As the old saying goes, however, where there's smoke there's fire.

Meanwhile Radamel Falcao has not yet stepped on the field for United this season, and still needs to prove himself to Van Gaal.

Having said that, he has tremendous pedigree, is the new signing everyone wants to see, and is not suffering from a poor spell of form like Van Persie.

I expect him to start.