Di María's position at United

[Theon]

Sorry you did mate, and in a much prettier way than I did!

It looks like Daley Blind is to be announced tomorrow for 14m. I read he is primarily a DM although I would like to think he is coming in as a squad player in the sense we are looking to offload a few players this window.

Yeah me too. I think we need more.

Blind is an interesting one though because he could really play both systems. He could play as the DM in the diamond as you say, but he can also play at the back in a 3-5-2 as he did in Brazil. It's hard to predict how he will change things because of that, whereas with Vidal for example it's much more likely that it signals a move to a diamond. If I were to guess then I would say that Blind would still leave us playing 3-5-2. I don't think he will change the system.

The biggest issue in all of this - which we'll hopefully find out tomorrow - is whether Van Gaal can play Di Maria as a midfielder in the 3-5-2. I think ultimately the approach he'll take depends largely on that.

 

[TheReligion]

Yeah me too. I think we need more.

Blind is an interesting one though because he could really play both systems. He could play as the DM in the diamond as you say, but he can also play at the back in a 3-5-2 as he did in Brazil. It's hard to predict how he will change things because of that, whereas with Vidal for example it's much more likely that it signals a move to a diamond. If I were to guess then I would say that Blind would still leave us playing 3-5-2. I don't think he will change the system.

The biggest issue in all of this - which we'll hopefully find out tomorrow - is whether Van Gaal can play Di Maria as a midfielder in the 3-5-2. I think ultimately the approach he'll take depends largely on that.

I don't particularly think that Blind coming in spells and end to our business this window either personally, I can see it going right down to the last day especially when we have players to shift and clubs like Juve interested in the likes of Hernandez. What do you think?

In relation to Blind, LVG likes him and with Cleverley and Kagawa looking likely to leave it allows us to trim the squad with a versatile more tactically astute player, something which LVG seems to be going for currently with the additions of Di Maria and Rojo also.

 

[Theon]

I don't particularly think that Blind coming in spells and end to our business this window either personally, I can see it going right down to the last day especially when we have players to shift and clubs like Juve interested in the likes of Hernandez. What do you think?

In relation to Blind, LVG likes him and with Cleverley and Kagawa looking likely to leave it allows us to trim the squad with a versatile more tactically astute player, something which LVG seems to be going for currently with the additions of Di Maria and Rojo also.

I think you're right. It will also probably depend on how we do tomorrow and whether it looks like we have a workable system. If we go for the 3-5-2 with Di Maria in midfield and end up losing again, then I could see that being the final nail on the coffin for that formation.

Van Gaal is notoriously stubborn but if it's clear that it won't work, or that it doesn't suit Di Maria, then I think he could well dip back into the transfer market and move to something else - for instance buying a midfielder and moving to the diamond.

I'm really interested to see how we line up tomorrow. It should tell us a lot. I think the 3-5-2 could work with Di Maria and if it did we could play some fantastic football because it's such an attacking line up.

 

[Rezyuz]

Ddg

Rafael - sign - jones - shaw

Full cdm

Mata - rooney

Di maria - rvp - januzaj
​

Stop playing like cowards and start playing like the real world class club and believe in yourself.

 

[TheReligion]

I think you're right. It will also probably depend on how we do tomorrow and whether it looks like we have a workable system. If we go for the 3-5-2 with Di Maria in midfield and end up losing again, then I could see that being the final nail on the coffin for that formation.

Van Gaal is notoriously stubborn but if it's clear that it won't work, or that it doesn't suit Di Maria, then I think he could well dip back into the transfer market and move to something else - for instance buying a midfielder and moving to the diamond.

I'm really interested to see how we line up tomorrow. It should tell us a lot. I think the 3-5-2 could work with Di Maria and if it did we could play some fantastic football because it's such an attacking line up.

Formation wise I think it makes far more sense for us to move to a 4-3-1-2 given it accommodates all of our best players in what looks to be a very workable and flexible formation. With the players at our disposal tomorrow I can see the 3-5-2 or a variant being used. I don't see us getting a real look at LVGs insight into things until we start getting our players fit, especially Rafael and Shaw. If he does intend to go back to two CBs then it explains our lack of big money move for another CB as we would be left quite well stocked in those areas.

If you were a betting man what would you speculate about the rest of this transfer window?

 

[Theon]

Formation wise I think it makes far more sense for us to move to a 4-3-1-2 given it accommodates all of our best players in what looks to be a very workable and flexible formation. With the players at our disposal tomorrow I can see the 3-5-2 or a variant being used. I don't see us getting a real look at LVGs insight into things until we start getting our players fit, especially Rafael and Shaw. If he does intend to go back to two CBs then it explains our lack of big money move for another CB as we would be left quite well stocked in those areas.

If you were a betting man what would you speculate about the rest of this transfer window?

Really no idea TR, such a tough one to call. Personally I think a lot depends on how we do tomorrow. In the Michael Cox article he rightly calls it 'risky' playing Di Maria there, so really a lot depends on whether Van Gaal wants to try it and whether it works.

If the 3-5-2 does work, then I think we'll see only some minor additions to the team. Possibly another centre back - though I would expect Blind to play at the back in that system. If it doesn't work then I think we'll see a big named midfielder coming in and no defenders. As much as I would love it to happen I think Vidal is off the table now, and Van Gaal doesn't seem overly keen on Carvalho considering the release clause and the fact that a lot of the negotiations had already progressed under Moyes.

 

[TheReligion]

Really no idea TR, such a tough one to call. Personally I think a lot depends on how we do tomorrow. In the Michael Cox article he rightly calls it 'risky' playing Di Maria there, so really a lot depends on whether Van Gaal wants to try it and whether it works.

If the 3-5-2 does work, then I think we'll see only some minor additions to the team. Possibly another centre back - though I would expect Blind to play at the back in that system. If it doesn't work then I think we'll see a big named midfielder coming in and no defenders. As much as I would love it to happen I think Vidal is off the table now, and Van Gaal doesn't seem overly keen on Carvalho considering the release clause and the fact that a lot of the negotiations had already progressed under Moyes.

I don't understand the Vidal deal. It must be the knee. Juve want Hernandez and LVG clearly wants Vidal. You'd of thought there must be a deal to be made. Seems a no brainer...

 

[Isotope]

di Maria is similar to Robben, in terms of style of play and energy. Mimicking Netherland's WC, I can see him being used as second striker in

back five
CM------CM
Mata
di Maria------------
----------------Rooney/RvP​

 

[Dracula]

I think the most interesting thing will be where he plays today.

Almost certainly we'll play 352. If he sticks him in cm with, say fletch it really shows where lvg thinks he will play him (i.e not on the wing) wheras if he plays him in more of a 'robben' role it may not be long until we get rid of 352 and he may utilise him on the wing later

 

[2 man midfield]

di Maria is similar to Robben, in terms of style of play and energy. Mimicking Netherland's WC, I can see him being used as second striker in

back five
CM------CM
Mata
di Maria------------
----------------Rooney/RvP​

I'd like to see this. Just let him loose on their defence. The good thing is, he's versatile and works hard. If we need to switch it up and go 433, 442 or whatever, he's great going towards his own goal as well.

 

[Theon]

The biggest issue in all of this - which we'll hopefully find out tomorrow - is whether Van Gaal can play Di Maria as a midfielder in the 3-5-2. I think ultimately the approach he'll take depends largely on that.

So he has indeed gone for Di Maria as a central midfielder in 3-5-2.

That's what I suspected would happen and whilst on paper it's a risky move, the space behind the midfield can be covered if our defence adapts the way it plays. Specifically I think we will look to play a higher defensive line, to limit the gaps which will appear when Di Maria inevitably moves forward. Secondly I think we'll need to have centre backs willing to step out and make challenges, which Jones and Rojo in particular are suited to.

As I said above our transfer policy from now until the window shuts could depend heavily on this game. If the 3-5-2 system doesn't work again or it doesn't suit Di Maria, then I think we will be in the market for a top central midfielder and we'll make the transition to a diamond system.

If it does work then our transfer business could well be over as Blind offers the cover we need in defence playing three centre halves.