Manchester United travel to Deepdale this evening to take on Preston North End in the fifth round of the FA Cup, bidding to avoid the biggest upset of the round so far, live on talkSPORT, from 7pm.
The FA Cup represents Louis van Gaal’s best chance of a trophy in his first season at Old Trafford, but question marks still hang over the Dutchman’s tactical approach.
Striker Robin van Persie is a doubt for the Red Devils, while Phil Jones is unlikely to play because of the knee injury suffered against Burnley in midweek.
Luke Shaw is available once again following his suspension, and Daley Blind should recover from the head injury sustained in the win over the Clarets.
Will academy star James Wilson come in for Van Persie and will there be a recall for Spaniard Ander Herrera? talkSPORT takes a look…
Possible Man United line-up against Preston:
Goalkeeper
Van Gaal could see this as the ideal fixture to give Victor Valdes his first competitive start at United, but David De Gea continues in goal in all games and will likely start between the sticks.
Van Gaal could see this as the ideal fixture to give Victor Valdes his first competitive start at United, but David De Gea continues in goal in all games and will likely start between the sticks.
Defenders
Antonio Valencia was rested in midweek, and could take Paddy McNair’s place, while Shaw is back from suspension and will be keen to continue his progress and get back to the level he showed at Southampton.
Antonio Valencia was rested in midweek, and could take Paddy McNair’s place, while Shaw is back from suspension and will be keen to continue his progress and get back to the level he showed at Southampton.
Chris Smalling was United’s unlikely hero in midweek – scoring two goals – and he should partner Argentine Marcos Rojo, who has arguably been the Red Devils’ most consistent defender this season.
Midfield
The absence of Michael Carrick makes Blind integral to United, with his calmness and control on the ball.
The absence of Michael Carrick makes Blind integral to United, with his calmness and control on the ball.
Captain Wayne Rooney has looked a subdued figure in midfield, but van Gaal insists he will continue to play the Englishman there and his experience will be vital.
Angel Di Maria threatened some of his early season form against Burnley and should be given the license to roam forward, while Juan Mata’s cleverness should give him the nod against the League One outfit.
Attacking
Wilson came on and scored against Cambridge in the fourth round replay and started the matches at Yeovil and at the Abbey Stadium, and should start with van Persie a doubt.
Wilson came on and scored against Cambridge in the fourth round replay and started the matches at Yeovil and at the Abbey Stadium, and should start with van Persie a doubt.
Falcao continues to struggle and the Colombian will be keen to put in a solid performance to prove his critics wrong.
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