Robbie Savage: Van Gaal Must Find Right Balance

In his regular BBC Sport column, Robbie Savage looks at how Manchester United's expensive new faces might fit into Louis van Gaal's system.

The big signings that Manchester United have made means that they look unbalanced in defence and attack.

But having to work out how to fit Radamel Falcao and Angel Di Maria into his team is a good problem for United boss Louis van Gaal to have.

And it is going to be just as interesting to see how Van Gaal organises his defence as well as fitting all his star players into his attack.

I think he will stick with his 3-4-1-2 formation and Michael Carrick and Danny Blind will play a big part in that. Either of them could play in central midfield alongside Ander Herrera, or in the back three. They are both versatile but also good on the ball, which will be important in both of those positions the way United will be set up.

This is what I consider to be United's best XI, when everybody is fit and available.

One thing that jumps out at me straight away is that there is not a single product of United's youth team in there.

Bringing players through is something United have always prided themselves on but seeing Welbeck, Tom Cleverley and Tom Lawrence all leave the club on transfer deadline day shows how difficult it will be for young players to get into this team.

It also does not include United's big buys from the last two transfer windows, Marouane Fellaini and Juan Mata. They just don't fit into Van Gaal's system.

Now it is down to Van Gaal to turn his big star-name individuals into a unit.

I look at what he has spent and think that, if he does not get them in the top four and back in the Champions League now, then he does not have much of an excuse for failure.

His job should not be on the line over that, because every manager needs time. But David Moyes did not get any, and he did not get the same backing in the transfer market either.

It could be Champions League or bust for Van Gaal, but I don't see United making it. I am sticking with my top four of Chelsea, Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool - I have got United down to finish fifth.

Credit: bbc sport