3 ways Manchester United could line up in a 4-3-3 formation this season
Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal will have a bevy of options to choose from when it comes to selecting different combinations of players to deploy when the season kicks off.
Van Gaal, who expressed his desire to play in a 4-3-3 pattern on Wednesday, has a handful of new, high-priced signings that provide him with a luxury few teams can match.
And the there's still plenty of time to add more pieces.
The real difficulty with the side appears to be the plethora of talent to choose from and making the difficult decision of who to leave out of the starting squad.
Here are three renditions of the 4-3-3 formation United could utilize this season:
Plan A: New Signings Everywhere
David De Gea; Luke Shaw, Daley Blind, Phil Jones, Matteo Darmian; Bastian Schweinsteiger, Morgan Schneiderlin, Juan Mata; Memphis Depay, Wayne Rooney, Ashley Young
The go-to formation offers a solid mix of regulars and a combination of summer arrivals ready to make an immediate impact. Van Gaal seems decided on three-quarters of his back line, with only the right centre-back to be decided.
Schweinsteiger and Schneiderlin will make a formidable partnership in the defensive midfield scheme, with Mata roaming free to provide a skilled outlet able to smoothly transition the ball to the forward line.
Young's exceptional season under Van Gaal will earn him a spot in the opening day lineup as he joins a lethal attacking line with Rooney and Depay.
Plan B: Blending Old With New
David De Gea; Marcos Rojo, Daley Blind, Phil Jones, Matteo Darmian; Ander Herrera, Morgan Schneiderlin, Marouane Fellaini; Memphis Depay, Wayne Rooney, Juan Mata
This lineup could be used in multiple ways, with an ultimate view of providing relief to other players running on fumes.
Herrera, who was a star for the Red Devils last season, replaces Schweinsteiger, while Fellaini's addition is the major stylistic change. The Belgian behemoth is an intimidating presence in the air, and combined with the skill and flair of the forward trio would present a frightening prospect for opponents.
Skill and size. You may be able to stop one. Stopping both, however, is an unenviable task.
Plan C: Old Faithful (Plus Memphis)
Sergio Romero; Luke Shaw, Chris Smalling, Phil Jones, Antonio Valencia; Daley Blind, Michael Carrick, Juan Mata; Memphis Depay, Wayne Rooney, Ashley Young
Like Plan B, the third option might serve more as a rotational switch to keep fitness levels in the squad high, or to compensate for the injuries that inevitably occur during the course of the season.
Blind, Carrick and Mata could offer an alternative look for Van Gaal in the centre of the pitch should something happen to one of the club's shiny new midfielders.
Bonus Plan: The Di Maria File
Sergio Romero; Marcos Rojo, Jonny Evans, Paddy McNair, Antonio Valencia; Marouane Fellaini, Michael Carrick, Juan Mata; Memphis Depay, James Wilson, Angel Di Maria*
We likely won't see this set-up unless there's a devastating rash of injuries or United's in the League Cup. Or, in an unlikely turn of events, Di Maria doesn't end up at Paris Saint-Germain.
Either way, this is a formation United supporters will hope to avoid in significant matches.
*Persistent reports linking Angel Di Maria with a transfer away from United keeps him out of a majority of the lineups listed above.