Our resident Manchester United fans here in the Transfer Tavern have enjoyed a topsy turvy campaign thus far, though things are slowly getting into place for the Red Devils of late.
United earned a hard fought 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Wednesday evening, courtesy of goals from summer signings Paul Pogba and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
The Red Devils are still some way of the top spot in the Premier League table though, with Antonio Conte’s Chelsea absolutely smashing it this season.
Attention here in the Tavern always very quickly turns to transfers, and one piece of gossip that has come up recently via Le10Sport suggests that West Ham may use Dimitri Payet as bait in a potential swap deal with United forward Anthony Martial.
Our landlord here in the Tavern has decided to look at a potential new-look 2017 Man United line-up that includes Dimitri Payet!
What do you think of this XI?
GK: David De Gea
The Spaniard is arguably Manchester United’s most key player.
Simply indispensable, De Gea consistently proves why he is one of the best goalkeepers in the world and his calming influence between the sticks certainly helps the defence in front of him.
Providing Real Madrid don’t come lurking, expect to see De Gea in goal for the Red Devils for years to come.
RB: Antonio Valencia
The former right winger is growing more and more into his role as a right sided defender.
He combines his natural pace with good work rate to offer a strong threat going forward as well as being a solid enough player going backwards. Mourinho may look to sign a more orthodox right back in the future but for now he has to be happy with what he’s got from the South American and should use him into 2017.
CB: Eric Bailly
Bailly has suffered with injuries a bit during his first season at United but when he has been fit he’s shown he’s got all the hallmarks to be a decent defender for years to come.
He reads the game very well and is quick and strong so if he is caught out of position he can usually recover quickly and make amends. Our landlord can see him becoming a top Premier League defender if he works hard.
CB: Chris Smalling
Another man who has struggled with injuries this season, Smalling is still a better defender than his current stand-in Phil Jones.
Like Bailly in many ways he uses his strong physical attributes to control even the best Premier League attackers whilst he also has the ability to step out and play with the ball. He’s got to get on top of his fitness issues, though, if he wants to fully reach his potential.
LB: Matteo Darmian
It looks as though Darmian is the first-choice left back for Jose Mourinho at the moment.
Whilst our landlord prefers Daley Blind, the Italian appears to have got ahead in the pecking order and so will hope for some more appearances in 2017. Whether or not he stays past next summer is a very different proposition, though, with our landlord expecting huge changes for the start of next season.
CM: Michael Carrick
It appears that wherever Michael Carrick has gone this season, good results have typically followed.
After being shunned from the first team earlier in the season, Jose Mourinho has brought Carrick back into the fold in recent weeks – and he has been a stellar addition to the side.
He offers a great balance of attack and defence, and he has become the glue that holds this side together.
CM: Ander Herrera
Ander Herrera is quickly emerging as a Mourinho-favourite – and it is easy to see why.
The Spaniard offers a real technical edge to this midfield, offering pinpoint passes forward whilst also not neglecting his defensive responsibility.
His partnership with Carrick is only going to grow with time.
CAM: Paul Pogba
Paul Pogba appears to have finally hit a decent run of form for Man Utd, with a mid-week performance against Crystal Palace probably his best performance of the season.
He appears much more comfortable playing further up the field, and Jose Mourinho deserves credit for making the switch.
He’ll be hoping that he can keep his fine form up.
LW: Dimitri Payet
While Dimitri Payet is afforded a free role at West Ham, the Frenchman clearly has the ability to operate on the left of a three-man attack.
He’s often performed that role at international level, and while he doesn’t have the pace of Martial, he would create far more in the final third.
Also a wonderful threat from set-pieces.
ST: Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Some of the punters in the Transfer Tavern dared to suggest Zlatan Ibrahimovic would flop in England, believing the division was too competitive for him.
Still, the 35-year-old has been in fine fettle as ever and would surely relish service from Payet, whether it be clever through balls of pinpoint crosses.
RW: Henrikh Mkhitaryan
Despite initially struggling upon his move from Borussia Dortmund, Henrikh Mkhitaryan has proven what a good player he is of late.
Simply sensational when faced with green grass ahead of him, the Armenian is a more direct option on the right, while Payet moves in from the left.
