Predicted XI | MUFC vs. Newcastle United (21/8/2015)

GOAL | Sergio Romero

Still no conclusion in the LVG-De Gea-Real Madrid love triangle so that means Romero will keep his place for the third successive game - leaving arguably the best 'keeper in the world sat in the stands...again. It's all getting a bit boring now isn't it?

DEFENCE | Matteo Darmian, Chris Smalling, Daley Blind, Luke Shaw

No change to our defencive set-up as the manager admitted this morning that Jones and Rojo are still ill and lacking in match fitness respectively.

MIDFIELD | Juan Mata, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Adnan Januzaj, Michael Carrick,  Memphis Depay

In the same press-conference van Gaal discussed the possibility of granting Schweinsteiger his first start, with either Carrick or Schneiderlin the player to be sacrificed - for me, I reckon Carrick will keep his place. Januzaj deserves to go on a run of games now after decent performances against Villa and Brugge in mid-week; while Mata and Depay seem comfortable in their wide attacking-midfield roles. They just need to get the fella ahead of them involved now...

ATTACK | Wayne Rooney

Rooney seriously needs a goal, not only to get the critics off his back however to firstly prove to the manager that he can be trusted as the lone striker and secondly as someone who can contribute 20+ goals a season. Currently, he's unable to deliver either.



It was good to see Fellaini back against Brugge, yet he has his flaws as we all know - while Chicharito, who's presence back at Old Trafford after a year away was received with delight by the fans inside the stadium, isn't quite the reliable, prolific back-up he used to be.



An awful lot has been made of the Pedro situation and United's failure to land him, yet what I find strange is that van Gaal didn't want him...which is fine...yet has not sought to bring anyone else in. It's as though it was a case of "sign Pedro or no-one". A bizarre concept to follow and one I think we'll live to regret.