Memphis Depay And Anthony Martial Crucial To United Season

Before now, it was straightforward enough to show Louis van Gaal’s critics a copy of the Premier League table and a picture of Manchester United’s Champions League group and dismiss their critiques on the basis that he was making progress in both.

But even though Van Gaal’s injury-ravaged United remain only three points off the top in the Premier League ahead of Saturday’s tricky-looking trip to Bournemouth, there are now profound questions over the quality of their team and Van Gaal’s methods.

Elimination from the Champions League group stage on Tuesday was chastening. The manner in which Wolfsburg ruthlessly dissected what is, on paper, one of the best defences in the Premier League is a matter of some concern. So is the absence of on-field leadership when United needed it most.

Van Gaal’s baffling tactical changes also need mentioning. Particularly peculiar was his substitution of Juan Mata for Nick Powell, the wayward 21-year-old rookie who was introduced in a crucial Champions League match for his first appearance since featuring in a 4-0 loss at MK Dons in August 2014.

A visit to Bournemouth, who defeated the champions Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last week, may not provide much respite from such worries. This is all the more so because United must travel there with nine of their first-team squad out through injury or suspension. To the long-term absence of Luke Shaw and Antonio Valencia, Van Gaal must also add the names of Phil Jones, Chris Smalling, Ander Herrera, Wayne Rooney, Matteo Darmian, Marcos Rojo and the suspended Bastian Schweinsteiger.

It is now that the question of United’s squad depth may be brought ruthlessly into view. The key figure in all this upheaval is Morgan Schneiderlin, who Van Gaal states is to return to the squad. If that is indeed the case, then he will provide excellent pressure on the ball in midfield along Michael Carrick.

If Schneiderlin is unable to play, then United will presumably have to field Marouane Fellaini instead. This may mean that, against the fittest team in the league, they will have to sit deep or risk being overrun in central areas. Fellaini, after all, offers much to a team if deployed correctly, but pressing will never be his strongest suit.

Should Schneiderlin return, he will be essential protection for a makeshift defence. At present, the best available back four looks to be a combination of Guillermo Varela at right-back and Ashley Young at left-back, with Paddy McNair and Daley Blind as the centre-backs. The attack looks set to comprise Juan Mata, Jesse Lingard, Anthony Martial and Memphis Depay, but with Mata’s lack of speed, the forward line risks being cut off from the rest of the team.

This may be the case unless Mata takes up a deeper-lying position alongside whoever lines up as United’s midfield duo. There may also be room for the flair of Andreas Pereira, who is a very good option from the bench and who could be a fine link between defence and attack or highly effective as a winger.