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Manchester United may call on Paddy McNair due to defensive crisis Manchester United may call on Paddy McNair due to defensive crisis
(about 2 hours later)
Louis van Gaal is considering drafting in Paddy McNair from the Manchester United Under-21 squad for Saturday’s visit of West Ham United as a crisis hits the manager’s defence at centre-back. Louis van Gaal is considering drafting in Paddy McNair from the Manchester United under-21s squad for Saturday’s visit of West Ham United as a crisis hits the manager’s defence at centre-back.
Van Gaal is sweating on Chris Smalling’s fitness due to a leg problem, and with Phil Jones and Jonny Evans already injured, and Tyler Blackett suspended for a match, the Dutchman is desperately short of defensive options. Michael Carrick can play in central defence and may even suit Van Gaal’s style as a long-term choice but he has only just started training again following a serious ankle injury so his chance of being available for Saturday is viewed as remote.Van Gaal is sweating on Chris Smalling’s fitness due to a leg problem, and with Phil Jones and Jonny Evans already injured, and Tyler Blackett suspended for a match, the Dutchman is desperately short of defensive options. Michael Carrick can play in central defence and may even suit Van Gaal’s style as a long-term choice but he has only just started training again following a serious ankle injury so his chance of being available for Saturday is viewed as remote.
McNair, 19, is yet to feature for the United first-team, having joined the club three years ago. Then he was a midfielder but has gradually become accomplished at centre-back. McNair, 19, is yet to feature for the United first team, having joined the club three years ago. Then he was a midfielder but has gradually become accomplished at centre-back.
Yet that Van Gaal is even having to consider the Northern Irish youngster for Saturday’s matchday squad points to the crisis the 63-year-old is having to deal with and once more calls into question the club’s summer transfer policy. Yet that Van Gaal is even having to consider the Northern Irish youngster for Saturday’s squad points to the crisis the 63-year-old is facing and once more calls into question the club’s summer transfer policy.
Then, United spent more than £150m on six players who included the stellar attacking talents of Ángel di María and Radamel Falcao but only one recognised central defender, Marcos Rojo, who does not possess the authority and leadership qualities the side needs following the departures of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic in the close season. Then, United spent more than £150m on six players who included the stellar attacking talents of Ángel di María and Radamel Falcao but only one recognised central defender, Marcos Rojo, who does not possess the authority and leadership qualities the side need following the departures of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic in the close season.
Van Gaal may also regret allowing Michael Keane, the 21-year-old centre-back who went on the summer tour of the United States and played for the side, to go on loan to Burnley. Van Gaal may also regret allowing Michael Keane, the 21-year-old centre-back who played on the summer tour of the United States, to go on loan to Burnley.
On Saturday, Van Gaal may be forced to play Daley Blind alongside Rojo as his centre-backs, with Rafael Da Silva and Luke Shaw the full-backs, the latter to finally make his United debut. On Saturday, Van Gaal may be forced to field Daley Blind and Rojo as his centre-backs, with Rafael da Silva and Luke Shaw the full-backs. This would be the long-delayed debut for Shaw, the 19-year-old signed from Southampton in the summer.
With the 20-times champions seriously struggling under Van Gaal, having taken only five points from the opening five matches and losing twice, which includes Sunday’s 5-3 capitulation at Leicester City, United are desperate to beat West Ham as they seek to qualify again for the Champions League. Van Gaal’s side have taken only five points from the opening five matches and lost twice, including Sunday’s 5-3 capitulation at Leicester City, United desperately need to beat West Ham as they seek to qualify again for the Champions League.