Does Januzaj hold the key?
Article by Howard JonesFollow e-Manchester United on Twitter!
Only this week, Adnan Januzaj was playing-down speculation that he was unhappy at Manchester United.
"I love this club and I'm excited to play for this manager" said the 19-year old. "The fans have been so good to me and I want to repay them.'
Following the arrivals of Di Maria and Falcao at the club, it was, perhaps, only natural to assume the attacker's chances of playing were about to become limited.
But I think it could well be the opposite. And here's why?
-Apart from Rooney, Januzaj's had more shots-on-goal than any other United player this season (and, all his appearances have been from the bench!)
-He's made more successful dribbles per-minute-played than any other United player.
-And, despite being a substitute in every game, he's made more turnovers than anyone else. In the Swansea game, alone, he made six-times more turnovers than any of his team-mates.
OK, so Januzaj can turn defence into attack. But doesn't that just make him an impact sub?
Well, it's true, Januzaj can make a difference when introduced to games late-on. But, when he replaced Darren Fletcher in the 63rd minute of United's encounter with Sunderland in August, my perception of him started to change.
Why was he playing through the centre? I thought. Like most other United fans, I'd become used to seeing him cut-in from the wings.
"I have said that I need creative passing and I thought Januzaj could provide that" the manager said following the player's introduction that day.
Well, just two days after the match, Di Maria signed for the club and, it was at this point, I started to see Januzaj's central role against Sunderland, not only as a dress-rehearsal for Di Maria. But also one for himself.
Last season, at Real Madrid, Ancelotti often used Di Maria in a midfield-three which included the likes of Alonso and Modric, a deeper role that enabled the coach to accommodate him following the arrival of Gareth Bale. By playing Di Maria in a 4-3-3 formation, Ancelotti narrowed his line of attack through the middle and, from here, he became more-and-more influential and actually finished top assist-maker in La Liga with 17 assists.
Therefore, having just forked-out a British record transfer fee of almost£60 million for his services, you'd not expect van Gaal to leave Di Maria on the periphery of a game as a wing-back - a role that would demand as much defending as it would attacking.
So, just how CAN van Gaal accommodate both Di Maria and Januzaj in the same side?
It's all about balance.
In Ferguson's 4-4-2 days, we'd see two wingers, both playing wide roles - a perfect symmetry.
Well, whether van Gaal plays 3-5-2 or 4-3-3, pace will certainly have to come through the middle and whether Di Maria plays on the left or right of a central-three, he'll have to have a natural equivalent on the other side.
And, for me, Januzaj's the only player who fits the bill.
After all, if there's one United player that compares most to Di Maria, you'd have to say it was him. They're both fast. They like to dribble past players. And, their close control means they can open-up a game in an instant. Besides, neither Young nor Valencia have the skill or intelligence to switch to an inside-midfield role.
With 3-5-2, a holding midfielder (like Herrera) and two wingbacks would provide ample cover for the likes of Di Maria and Januzaj to bomb forward. Likewise, in a 4-3-3, they would allow the pair to do the same.
In fact, you only have to look back at how van Gaal adopted 4-3-3 at Barcelona, to see how he could replicate it at United. In those days, Guardiola or Giovanni would be deployed as the anchor, supporting two marauding midfielders who'd interchange with inside forwards.
So, for Luis Enrique and Zenden, for example, take Di Maria and Januzaj.
However ... (there is a drawback) ... the danger of playing 4-3-3 in quite the cavalier way that van Gaal did at Barcelona, is that there's less emphasis on defending which can make for some high-scoring games (cast your minds back to United's 3-3 draw with Barcelona in 1998).
And, for this reason, I believe van Gaal will maintain the 3-5-2 formation with defensive-minded wing-backs such as Shaw and Rafael protecting the team, whilst feeding the likes of Di Maria and Januzaj on the inside. Offensively, this all provides the same shape and balance as 4-3-3 - attacks through the middle.
So, with so many experienced players around to support him, don't be surprised to see van Gaal unleash Januzaj in an attacking line-up like this one, sometime soon!
De Gea
Jones, Rojo, Blind
Rafael, Januzaj, Herrera, Di Maria, Shaw
Rooney, Falcao
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