Manchester United may go into Saturday’s Premier League encounter against Watford without a recognised striker.
Louis van Gaal has conceded illness to Wayne Rooney, Anthony Martial’s foot injury and doubts over James Wilson’s match fitness/rhythm may force him to get creative at Vicarage Road.
Some United supporters will be questioning the logic of dumping three strikers during the summer – Robin van Persie, Radamel Falcao and Javier Hernandez – and replacing them with the talented but raw Martial.
The positive for those same fans is United’s superb defensive record this season. The United defence, including the excellent David De Gea, have been responsible for 11 clean sheets in 18 matches this season.
One goal might be enough for United to claim all three points against a Watford side doing well to keep their heads above water.
Van Gaal may have a lack of strikers but there are plenty of attackers in his squad that he can call on.
Interchangeable front four
A 4-4-1-1 formation with Juan Mata, who has been involved in 30 goals since his January 2014 arrival at United.
The beauty of this team is that all four players have attacking ambitions and can switch in and out of the frontman duties. That leaves Bastian Schweinsteiger and Morgan Schneiderlin to conrol the tempo, as best they can, and shield the back four.
On the bench, van Gaal can call on Wilson if Plan A goes to the wall. Other options may include Andreas Pereira, moving Young into midfield and England U20 striker Ashley Fletcher.
Precocious talent and Mr Reliable
This could finally be Memphis Depay’s chance to prove his worth to coach, fans and teammates alike.
After a solid start to life at Old Trafford, Depay has fallen afoul of his coach, appeared sulky in games and twice turned up late for team gatherings.
A partnership with the savvy Mata – with Ander Herrera probing nearby – could be the start of something most defences would struggle with. The extra responsibility in leading the line may be a release for the 21-year-old.
The formation here is 3-5-2, which van Gaal toyed with last season. Daley Blind and Young are more than capable of patrolling the tramlines.
60 minutes of your finest
Van Gaal has openly expressed his doubts on Wilson’s ability to plough the frontline furrow for 90 minutes.
Still, that may not prevent him from starting the promising 19-year-old, who scored a brace on his debut in 2013/14.
Once again, Mata gets the No.10 role while there is plenty of attacking intent on the wings. Marcos Rojo and Lingard did well on the left against West Brom while linking Matteo Darmian and Ashley Young is an exciting prospect.
To add a touch more zip to the centre of midfield, Daley Blind gets the start alongside Morgan Schneiderlin while Phil Jones partners Smalling at centre back.
Who would you like to see lead United’s frontline?
