Manchester United Striker Crisis Threatens to Derail Attacking Progress

It always felt like an injury crisis would be part of Manchester United's story at some point this season. Louis van Gaal has pared down the squad over the past two summers, allowing plenty of players to leave. New faces have arrived in decent number, obviously, but United's current selection is lean.

As a consequence of some unfortunate coincidence, the first mini-crisis of the season is upon us.

Anthony Martial picked up a minor knock on international duty. Wayne Rooney is poorly. Even the man known by fans as Plan B—Marouane Fellaini—is injured, all of this per Van Gaal's interview with MUTV (h/t the club website).

Fortunately for Van Gaal, this should not be an extended crisis. Indeed, he told the assembled media corps at Friday's press conference that Martial could potentially have played against Watford, thus is expected back for the visit of PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday.

However, the game at Vicarage Road now represents a very significant challenge. Watford have conceded the joint-second fewest goals in the division at home—only United have conceded fewer on home soil.

United's attacking difficulties have been a hot topic of late. Three 0-0 draws in a row had fans very frustrated. Rooney's deadlock-breaking goal against CSKA Moscow was greeted with a primal roar of relief around Old Trafford. United then managed to beat West Bromwich Albion 2-0, with a late penalty adding polish to the scoreline.

Those two games marked an improvement in United's attack. How Van Gaal would have loved for the trip to Vicarage Road to continue the narrative. As it stands, that will be a significant challenge.

The Dutchman's two main options are to play James Wilson at centre-forward, or call upon a player with less experience in the role but more experience of top-flight football to play out of position.

The latter option will at least have to be part of the plan as Van Gaal told MUTV (h/t the club website), "Wilson is OK after the international break. He can play but he cannot play a whole match because he doesn't have the rhythm of the game."

Given how disjointed United's attack has looked even at full strength, the chances of a fluid, dynamic performance when the side is devoid of any of its first choice attackers seem limited at best.

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Of course, the silver lining to this cloud—other than the important fact that Martial's injury is short term—is that Van Gaal will have to retool his midfield to be more attacking.

With Michael Carrick also on the injured list—as per the above—Van Gaal should also look to rest either Bastian Schweinsteiger or Morgan Schneiderlin, and play the other alongside Ander Herrera in deep-lying midfield.

Van Gaal could then play three out-and-out attacking midfielders behind whoever is acting as the striker. Having Juan Mata at No. 10 could be particularly valuable in this game, given his ability to ghost into the area and score important goals. He is the most potent goal threat in the United side with Rooney and Martial absent.

The situation currently facing the Red Devils is one predicted by many when Van Gaal let Robin van Persie, Radamel Falcao and Javier Hernandez leave then sent Adnan Januzaj on loan to Borussia Dortmund. Light on cover, the manager is heavily reliant on the fitness and form of a couple of key players up front.

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Of course, none of this is the footballing-worst-case scenario that would have been a longer-term injury to Martial. Indeed, it is currently hard to imagine United's attack without the young Frenchman, such a tonic has he been. A brief rest for the youngster will hopefully end up benefiting him—and United—in the medium term.

Saturday's trip to Watford might drag a little, and it will be a big surprise if United's attacking unit looks functional in that game. Having Martial fit and firing again for PSV and beyond will make that a price worth paying, as the Red Devils look to build on their solid defensive platform and once again become an attacking force to be feared.