Louis van Gaal has been left with a £200million conundrum after admitting he will be forced to leave out at least one of his attacking big hitters against Southampton at Old Trafford on Sunday.
With Manchester United’s injury crisis over, Van Gaal’s biggest challenge now is to make sure he does not disrupt the team balance with too many stars after an 11-match unbeaten run.
And the way the Dutchman was talking, he has already decided not to play all of his ‘famous five’ — Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie, Falcao, Angel di Maria and Juan Mata.
Wayne Rooney (£27million), captain and close to overtaking Sir Bobby Charlton as the club’s record goalscorer, is probably the only one who will wake up fully confident of being selected to start.
Van Persie (£24m) has never been dropped in his United career and was Van Gaal’s captain at the World Cup but is no longer ‘bomb proof’ due to competition for places.
Falcao, who will cost £43m if United make his loan move permanent next season, showed his finishing skills to save his team in their last Premier League game at Stoke on New Year’s Day but Van Gaal questions his contribution outside the penalty area.
Juan Mata (£38m) was tipped to be the sacrificial lamb when Van Gaal arrived but has been in outstanding form as a genuine No 10. Di Maria (£60m) has been absent with injury while United have embarked on their unbeaten run.
He takes risks on the ball that are not normally associated with a Van Gaal team but it would still be a huge call, even for someone of the Dutchman’s inpenetrable confidence, to axe the most expensive player in the Premier League.
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