Manchester United: Tactical Options for Louis Van Gaal with Defensive Injuries

While Manchester United fans are delighted to have seen Angel Di Maria and Ander Herrera return from injury against Yeovil Town, Louis van Gaal has seen his squad blighted recently with injuries to his wing-backs.

Wing-back revelations Ashley Young and Antonio Valencia were injured against Stoke City and Tottenham respectively, and they are expected to be unavailable for this weekend's game against Southampton. Additionally, per Stuart Mathieson of the Manchester Evening News, Van Gaal announced that Rafael da Silva fractured a cheekbone against Yeovil and was taken to hospital.

Luke Shaw was also taken off with an injury, but he is expected to be fit for the match against Southampton, per Mark Ogden of The Telegraph.

Even with the young Englishman likely to be fit and Marcos Rojo and Daley Blind in contention to play as well, according to The Peoples Person, United are still left without a right-sided wing-back unless they try the unreliable Adnan Januzaj in this role.

Coupled with the uninspiring performances that the 3-5-2 has produced of late (two ties in the team's last two EPL matches), this injury predicament suggests Van Gaal might finally switch back to a flat back four.

While United are currently without a healthy right-sided wing-back, they could field a converted center-back such as Phil Jones in this area.

This move would be allowed for by the fact that both Jonny Evans and Paddy McNair are healthy to play at center-back, not to mention Rojo and Blind are in contention as well.

Rui Vieira/Associated Press

With a likely healthy Luke Shaw filling in on the left flank, the situation for Van Gaal in the midfield and attack becomes one of surplus rather than scarcity. 

Radamel Falcao and Robin van Persie have been performing admirably as a duo of late, and Van Gaal is unlikely to split them up as a central striking partnership.

Assuming United's manager keeps those two in their respective roles, it seems his decision is between a 4-2-2-2, a 4-3-1-2 or a 4-4-2 diamond.

The former is the most unlikely of the three to be used by Van Gaal, as it is an extremely open formation, and United lack the two burly defensive midfielders needed to make it work.

A 4-3-1-2 is a decent option, though. Van Gaal could play Rooney and Di Maria as part of an exciting central midfield, with Carrick providing cover just behind.

In front of them, in the No. 10 spot, Van Gaal would have a tough choice between the newly fit Ander Herrera and the in-form Juan Mata. Herrera's superior defensive work rate might tip the scale in his favor, as he could seamlessly switch with Rooney into a slightly deeper role. At the same time, Mata has been combining nicely with Van Persie and Falcao in recent weeks.

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This lineup would be exciting in attack and organized in defense—something very important to Van Gaal.

An even more attacking XI would be the 4-4-2 diamond, with Di Maria and Rooney/Herrera shuttling in front of Carrick, and Mata or Rooney/Herrera playing in the hole.

However, United's defense is still somewhat shaky, which means that this lineup is not extremely likely to be used.

Rooney's play has been strong in recent weeks. Coupled with his status as captain, the question seems more about where he will be played rather than if. The decision then comes down to Mata or Herrera, both of whom United fans would welcome in the XI, and both of whom would provide a strong option on the bench if not given the start.

Mata's chemistry with Falcao and Van Persie, as well as Van Gaal's reluctancy to start Herrera for much of the season (six EPL starts to Mata's 15), suggests the former Chelsea man is more likely to get the nod.

That would leave the XI vs. Southampton looking like this.

With United's attack finally healthy, Van Gaal has a plethora of options, and the Reds will be looking to improve on a disappointing festive season.

Stats and info via ESPNFC.