The Sports Lowdown For All Your News and OpinionsDefence: United’s defence has looked suspect at times over the course of last season, but with a group of promising English youngsters among them, we think they could progress further at Old Trafford.
LB – Luke Shaw
This one was a toss up for me between Shaw and Blind. Blind had a very good season as both a midfielder and a left back, filling in for the injury prone Shaw. However, Shaw is a very good, young English player, who had a very good season prior to joining Man Utd. If he can stay fit, I think that van Gaal would prefer him in that position due to it being a more natural fit than it would be with Blind.
CB – Chris Smalling
There are a few options for centre back in the Manchester United team, and for me Smalling is an important player for United. Even with the Manchester team being linked with Ramos and Otamendi, Smalling brings a Ferdinand-esque quality to the team, not to mention that he shadowed the United legend during his final years for the club. At the present time, all things considered, i think Smalling has the qualities capable of fitting into the centre back role and performing well there.
CB – Phil Jones
The second centre back was a close toss up between Jones and Rojo. Rojo could fill the boots that Vidic left, but not yet. Phil Jones had a solid season for United last year, not making too many defensive errors, good tackling and sense of surroundings so he fills this spot for now. But as i previously said, United have been linked with many different centre back options, so he could easily be pushed from this spot.
RB – Matteo Darmian
They’re arent many times i will question a decision of a manager, especially one as esteemed as Louis van Gaal, but I think he is wrong in saying that Darmian will be a back up to Antonio Valencia. Despite the Dutchman saying that his current first choice right back is Valencia, and im not saying that Valencia is a bad player, but the situation is the same as Luke Shaw over Blind. Darmian is just a natural fit at right back. Valencia came down from the wings last season straight to RWB, and has quite a few good games. But bearing that in mind, you dont spend nearly 13 million pounds on a player just to put him as a backup. Darmian is a good, strong, attacking minded player, who will fit well in the United system.
