Analysis: Man United Midfilder performance 2015/16

[fredrian.seven]

Melanjutkan thread dari masbro @troy andreas; disini tapi yang versi untuk musim 2015/16.

Seperti yang diketahui United baru merampungkan 2 transfer besar di posisi tengah, anggota juara piala dunia Bastian Schweinsteiger dan salah satu pemain kunci Soton Morgan Schneiderlin. Keduanya melengkapi pemain-pemain yang sudah ada seperti Fellaini, Carrick, Herrera dan mungkin Blind. Dengan kedatangan mereka bisap-bisa malah mengancam posisi Carrick, Herrera atau Fellaini di posisi inti musim lalu.

Berikut artikel dari Daily Mail

Manchester United now boast one of the best midfields in the world... but where will Bastian Schweinsteiger and Morgan Schneiderlin fit into Louis van Gaal's side?

• Manchester United have 12 midfield players ahead of the new season
• Bastian Schweinsteiger joined from Bayern Munich in a £15million deal
• Morgan Schniderlin and Memphis Depay also signed this summer
• Louis van Gaal faces a selection headache with such riches in midfield

Louis van Gaal has assembled one of the richest midfields in football but as we count down to the season opener it has left him with the biggest conundrum of all. Just how does he fit them into his Manchester United side?

Whether it is 4-5-1, 4-2-3-1, 4-1-2-1-2, or 4-3-3, the Dutchman has 12 midfield players who will all expect a place in the starting XI.

How does 12 go in to five, or four, or three, or even 11? Van Gaal may well have to draft in the help of Carol Vorderman and Rachel Riley for this one.

Bastian Schweinsteiger
Having worked with Van Gaal at Bayern Munich, the World Cup winner will surely become a focal point in the centre of midfield. He will provide the attacking force through the middle with his power and passing range and rely on others behind to do the defending.

Morgan Schneiderlin
The Frenchman will be remembered at Southampton for his tackling and ability to break up play from the middle, but he is comfortable on the ball and can pass well. Schneiderlin can play either directly in front of the back four or slightly further forward, still in a defensive midfield capacity. He would complement Schweinsteiger, or an equally attacking midfielder, well.

Michael Carrick
Pressure is on the 33-year-old after the £39m arrivals of Schweinsteiger and Schneiderlin. His performances for United last season earned him a return to the England fold and a one-year contract extension, but despite his sublime passing range his chances in the centre of United’s midfield now appear limited. Likely to be a back-up player.

Daley Blind
Another who could struggle, given the latest Van Gall signings. Blind could find himself shunted around this season more as a utility player, given his ability to operate as full back and in central midfield. Even then, if Luke Shaw starts producing the form which earned him a record move it would be difficult for Blind to usurp him at left back and United now have a packed centre.

Ashley Young
The winger played some of his best football under Van Gaal last season when he had previously looked on his way out of the club. The signing of Memphis Depay will make it harder for Young to feature in the starting line-up, but he could operate on either flank of the attacking midfield three behind a striker, as a winger in three-pronged front line or in a flat five across the midfield.

Juan Mata
The Spaniard prefers to play in an attacking central midfield role as opposed to on the wing but he will be vying for his favoured spot with Schweinsteiger now. The pair could operate together, however, with them side by side, the German having previously started out as a winger anyway.

Memphis Depay
If the hype is anything to go by, the 21-year-old will be the next Cristiano Ronaldo, a player he absolutely does not want to be compared with. Rattled in 22 goals to finish top scorer of the Dutch Eredivisie last season and if continues in that vein — and the Premier League will be a huge step up — his place in the side will not be in question.

Ander Herrera
Van Gaal shelled out £29m for the central midfielder last summer but he is another who will be fighting for his future since Schweinsteiger and Schneiderlin have joined the club. His price tag may well protect him this season, as Van Gaal will not want to give up easily on such an expensive acquisition.

Marouane Fellaini
Fellaini was expected to leave when Van Gaal was appointed — the 63-year-old initially not convinced by David Moyes’ purchase — but he battled his way into the plans last season. Now he looks back to square one. Useful as a battering ram up top when Van Gaal wants to play long in search of a goal.

Angel di Maria
Paris Saint-Germain are expected to bid for the out-of-sorts attacking midfielder and it is perhaps best for all parties if he bows out. If United can recoup a chunk of the near-£60m transfer fee they paid a year ago then they can save face and Van Gaal will not have to try to shoehorn in a player who, along with his family, are clearly unsettled.

Antonio Valencia
Another whose versatility, down the right flank, could help him get some games. But the signing of Matteo Darmian from Torino for £14.4m will limit his opportunity at right back and United are not short of players who can operate at right wing. Valencia will be a useful back-up player next season, but that’s all.

Adnan Januzaj
The 20-year-old was a revelation under Moyes, then became a bit-part player under the current manager. Again, with competition for places on the flanks fierce, the winger may be best served looking for a loan or even permanent move away. It could be a frustrating season for him if he stays.

442, 433, 4231 atau mungkin 352? Bagaimana analisa teman2 dan peluang masing2 pemai?

Monggo...

[fredrian.seven]

Klo di awal musim 14/15 United tampil dengan lini depan yang sangar maka awal musim 15/16 United tampil dengan lini tengah yang mantap. Tapi moga form lini tengah yang sangar itu berbeda dengan form lini depan 14/15 yang justru melempem.

[GL zone]

kalo diliat banyak gelandang sekarang, ditambah cuma ada 1 striker yg mumpuni
mungkin bisa dipake formasi 4-3-3

di depan rooney bisa di temenin vale-young/Depay atau di maria-januzaj/Depay
gelandang nya tinggal di rotasi sesuai kebutuhan tim

Schweinsteiger, Schneiderlin, Carrick, Herrera, Mata, Blind
mudah2an nama mentereng itu bisa bikin lini tengah United lebih tanggguh

[fredrian.seven]

Originally Posted by GL zone

kalo diliat banyak gelandang sekarang, ditambah cuma ada 1 striker yg mumpuni
mungkin bisa dipake formasi 4-3-3

di depan rooney bisa di temenin vale-young/Depay atau di maria-januzaj/Depay
gelandang nya tinggal di rotasi sesuai kebutuhan tim

Schweinsteiger, Schneiderlin, Carrick, Herrera, Mata, Blind
mudah2an nama mentereng itu bisa bikin lini tengah United lebih tanggguh

Yup... aku rasa juga mo pake 4-3-3. Di kiri ada Memphis Young dan di kanan ada Di Maria, Januzaj dan Mata.

Nah yang pusing ini lini tengah. Fellaini, Herrera, Carrick, dan Blind musti bersaing dengan Schweni dan Scheiderlin. Blom lagi pemain reserve yang ingin unjuk gigi. Bisa2 yang musim lalu hampir selalu jadi starter bisa tersingkir musim ini.

[GL zone]

Originally Posted by fredrian.seven

Yup... aku rasa juga mo pake 4-3-3. Di kiri ada Memphis Young dan di kanan ada Di Maria, Januzaj dan Mata.

Nah yang pusing ini lini tengah. Fellaini, Herrera, Carrick, dan Blind musti bersaing dengan Schweni dan Scheiderlin. Blom lagi pemain reserve yang ingin unjuk gigi. Bisa2 yang musim lalu hampir selalu jadi starter bisa tersingkir musim ini.

Blind bisa di geser ke back kiri.. selama ini dia lumayan sukses di wilayah situ

utk carrick mungkin bisa jd pelapis schweni, atau malah schweni yg jd pelapis carrick ya

menurut saya berarti tinggal mata, herrera, fellaini dan schneiderlin yg hrs saling unjuk kemampuan di depan LvG

[tumpal_oneunited]

Dengan banyaknya stock midfielder kita saat ini, rasanya bakal ada yang tersingkir yah.
Dengan melihat stock yang ada, 'mungkin' LvG bisa menggunakan formasi 4-2-3-1 dimana komposisi lini tengahnya akan diisi oleh Bastian-Morgan sebagai double pivot dengan pembagian tugas, Bastian lebih ke arah membantu penyerangan sementara Morgan ke arah membantu pertahanan.
Tiga orang di depan Bastian-Morgan akan diisi oleh Depay di kiri, Mata di tengah (posisi yang paling dia sukai), dan Di Maria di kanan.
Striker tunggal akan diisi oleh Rooney.
Nah...Young, Valencia, Janujaz, Herrera, Fellaini, Blind, Carrick, Lingard, Perreira mau dikemanain nih?
Young bisa dijadikan pelapis Di Maria atau Depay.
Valencia bisa dijadikan pelapis bek kanan, yang kemungkinan besar akan diisi oleh Darmian.
Janujaz...hmmm bisa jadi dipinjamkan atau dilepas.
Herrera nih yang kasian,,mengingat dulu juga dia akrab sama yang namanya bangku cadangan oleh LvG di musim kemarin,,bisa jadi dengan kedatangan Bastian-Morgan,,Herrera jadi penghangat bangku cadangan lagi nih.
Fellaini bisa dijadikan opsi striker..hehehe
Blind juga kasian nih dengan kedatangan Bastian-Morgan. Bek kiri kemungkinan besar akan diisi oleh Shaw. Belum lagi ada Rojo yang juga bisa dijadikan bek kiri, seandainya United ketambahan bek tengah di musim transfer ini.
Carrick, dengan usianya yang sekarang, bakalan jadi pelapis Bastian-Morgan.
Lingard dan Perreira..Hmmm..apakah akan dipinjamkan lagi?? Who knows..

4-2-3-1??? Who knows..

[zudomiriku]

Variasi Formasi Setan Merah ala Louis van Gaal

MANCHESTER - Manchester United telah memiliki pemain-pemain baru untuk hampir setiap posisi. Empat pilar anyar datang demi menambah gairah pasukan Louis van Gaal. Bagaimana line up United musim depan? Mari kita utak-atik sedikit formasi Setan Merah berdasarkan tendensi sang pelatih pada musim pertamanya kemarin.

Segar setelah memimpin Belanda ke peringkat tiga Piala Dunia 2014, Van Gaal bermain dengan formasi tiga bek pada satu bulan awal Premier League 2014-15. Eksperimen awal tersebut tak berjalan lancar dan langsung ia tinggalkan setelah klub gagal memperoleh satu pun kemenangan dari empat laga perdana musim, termasuk kala menyerah 0-4 lawan MK Dons di Piala Liga.

Setelah mencampakkan formasi itu selama sebulan, klub kembali turun dengan tiga bek antara akhir November dan awal Januari. Pada rentang waktu itu, United mengalahkan Liverpool 3-0 dan Arsenal 2-1.

Perilaku galau sang pelatih kembali muncul kala ia meninggalkan skema tiga bek untuk kedua kalinya setelah kemenangan 2-0 lawan QPR pada medio Januari. Hasil di Loftus Road itu hanya terjadi setelah LVG mengubah skema secara radikal pada tengah babak laga.

Van Gaal memang plin-plan hingga setengah kompetisi berjalan.

Demi mencari formasi terbaik musim depan, mari berasumsi bahwa Van Gaal akan bermain dengan formasi sama seperti di mana ia menyelesaikan musim kemarin: 4-1-4-1 atau 4-3-3. Skema ini bisa dikatakan sukses bagi sang pelatih. Juan Mata menggelora di posisi inverted forward, Ander Herrera dan Marouane Fellini juga berjaya di lapangan tengah. Sisi negatifnya adalah Angel Di Maria merana di sisi melebar.



Kita bisa mengganti Mata/Di Maria untuk Depay dan kekuatan tim tak akan terganggu. Matteo Darmian juga akan bisa melengkapi pergerakan ke dalam Mata. Satu posisi yang mungkin akan diterapkan rotasi adalah di gelandang bertahan. Bastian Schweinsteiger, Daley Blind, dan Michael Carrick akan bergantian mengisi sektor tersebut.

Apalagi kini ada Morgan Schneiderlin yang bisa menjadi perisai pertahanan. Posisi Ander Herrera boleh dikatakan aman mengingat pergerakan dinamis sang pemain saat sang pelatih mulai mempercayainya pada paruh kedua musim.

Variasi formasi ini adalah skema 4-4-2 berlian seperti pada akhir Januari-Februari 2015. Ketika itu Van Gaal tengah giat-giatnya memasang Wayne Rooney sebagai gelandang. Namun, formasi ini kembali ditinggalkan sang pelatih setelah timnya menerima kekalahan 1-2 saat bertandang ke Swansea pada 21 Februari memaksanya.

Kehadiran Schweinsteiger dan Schneiderlin sebagai pemain spesialisasi di lapangan tengah bisa membuat Rooney kembali ke lini depan, dengan Memphis Depay bermain sebagai striker.

Penyerang sayap ini punya naluri mencetak gol dengan catatan 22 gol dari 30 laga Eredivisie musim kemarin.



Terakhir adalah skema apabila United bermain dengan formasi tiga bek dalam 3-5-2. Kendati pamor formasi ini mulai surut setahun setelah PD 2014, Van Gaal bisa saja kembali memainkan skema ini.

Lapangan tengah United tanpa diperdebatkan akan mendulang keuntungan terbesar dari formasi ini. Poros gelandang bertahan Schweinsteiger-Carrick atau Schweinsteiger-Schneiderlin masih akan dilengkapi oleh mobilitas Ander Herrera atau penetrasi Angel Di Maria.

Menilik dari komposisi sektor tengah tersebut, Van Gaal juga akan lebih berani menurunkan tiga bek. Salah satu alasan utama permainan 3-5-2 klub tak berjalan musim lalu adalah kurangnya perisai bagi lini pertahanan, sesuatu yang akan dihapus oleh kehadiran Schweinsteiger-Schneiderlin.

Sementara, formasi ini berpotensi membuat Darmian dan Young menggelora di sektor bek sayap dan Di Maria bisa kembali turun di posisi di mana ia bermain paling trengginas musim kemarin, gelandang serang tengah.

http://www.juara.net/read/features/features/118804-variasi.formasi.setan.merah.ala.louis.van.gaal

[Jak_Ilcapitano_11]

Originally Posted by zudomiriku

Variasi Formasi Setan Merah ala Louis van Gaal

MANCHESTER - Manchester United telah memiliki pemain-pemain baru untuk hampir setiap posisi. Empat pilar anyar datang demi menambah gairah pasukan Louis van Gaal. Bagaimana line up United musim depan? Mari kita utak-atik sedikit formasi Setan Merah berdasarkan tendensi sang pelatih pada musim pertamanya kemarin.



Kita bisa mengganti Mata/Di Maria untuk Depay dan kekuatan tim tak akan terganggu. Matteo Darmian juga akan bisa melengkapi pergerakan ke dalam Mata. Satu posisi yang mungkin akan diterapkan rotasi adalah di gelandang bertahan. Bastian Schweinsteiger, Daley Blind, dan Michael Carrick akan bergantian mengisi sektor tersebut.

Apalagi kini ada Morgan Schneiderlin yang bisa menjadi perisai pertahanan. Posisi Ander Herrera boleh dikatakan aman mengingat pergerakan dinamis sang pemain saat sang pelatih mulai mempercayainya pada paruh kedua musim.

Variasi formasi ini adalah skema 4-4-2 berlian seperti pada akhir Januari-Februari 2015. Ketika itu Van Gaal tengah giat-giatnya memasang Wayne Rooney sebagai gelandang. Namun, formasi ini kembali ditinggalkan sang pelatih setelah timnya menerima kekalahan 1-2 saat bertandang ke Swansea pada 21 Februari memaksanya.

Kehadiran Schweinsteiger dan Schneiderlin sebagai pemain spesialisasi di lapangan tengah bisa membuat Rooney kembali ke lini depan, dengan Memphis Depay bermain sebagai striker.

Penyerang sayap ini punya naluri mencetak gol dengan catatan 22 gol dari 30 laga Eredivisie musim kemarin.

Kalo sayah lebih pilih formasi Diamond ini. kek nya lebih seger di mata ngeliat formasi dengan pemain lengkap yang turun di posisi sesungguhnya semacam mau nyanyi terus dari sampe di tempat nobar sampe pulang lagi kerumah wkwkwkwk. Kalo mau kasih kejutan di menit 65 bisa mengganti Dimaria untuk Depay, dan menambah Blind di posisi kiri luar (sedikit dibelakang) menggantikan Shaw. Apalagi kalo sampe masuk UCL dengan dihuni tim2 bagus sekelas Madrid atau Juventus yang lebih banyak main melebar.. Kecuali Shaw bisa memperbaiki kekurangan di fisik lebih bagus lagi dari musim lalu rada gak takut sih di posisi ini.
Cuma emang gak dipungkiri kelemahan UNITED masih sangat jelas terlihat di belakang tengah dimanapun ada Smalling dan kalau Rojo ikut juga digeser ke tengah, itu sama aja kayak striker2 lawan setangguh CR7, Ibra atau Moratta cuma tinggal mikir gimana caranya buat tembakan langsung ke gawang tanpa keliatan matanya De Gea (IMO)
Mumpung pemain tengah yang baru masuk semua mental bertahannya bagus.. LVG bisa lebih fokus lagi nyari bek tengah tangguh semacam Nemanja Vidic zaman 2007-2009. satu ajah.. Double Champion mahh dapet laaahh YAKIN !!!!

Btw, Good review om zudo.. nice thread!

[fredrian.seven]

Ada opini menarik nih di MEN

Manchester United: Van Gaal should build new-look team around Herrera
BY SAMUEL LUCKHURST - manchestereveningnews.co.uk

Louis van Gaal tweaked Man Utd's formation against Club America but cannot afford to marginalise Ander Herrera.

It took Louis van Gaal over six months to settle on a system for Manchester United last season and against Club America he tweaked it again.

Memphis Depay played off Wayne Rooney, with Ashley Young and Juan Mata on the flanks and Michael Carrick partnered by Morgan Schneiderlin in midfield. The 4-2-3-1 set-up is not set in stone, but United endured a relatively impotent 2014-15 and Wayne Rooney's respectable goals ratio of five in 10 as a No.9 masked some ineffectual displays.

Rooney's selflessness as a striker enabled United's midfield to thrive last season, especially Ander Herrera. Van Gaal also took six months to appreciate Herrera was an essential cog in the United machine and while he insisted the Basque merely had to 'improve' to start more than one Premier League match in four months, some at Carrington were unconvinced by Herrera.

Herrera proved them wrong and his promotion to the United first-team coincided with their improvement in the spring. Herrera was the first United midfielder to dominate Liverpool, physically and skilfully, at Anfield since Roy Keane, was the best player on the pitch in the derby win over City and finished the season with eight goals in 22 starts.

The 25-year-old's omission from the starting line-up against Club America is not cause for concern. Van Gaal started two different XIs in each half and fitness was primary, especially on a pitch that was desecrated by One Dimension (sic.).

Herrera is not a one-dimensional player and should Van Gaal retain the 4-2-3-1 formation long-term, as some have indicated, Herrera would be inhibited. Van Gaal played him beside Bastian Schweinsteiger in the second-half in Seattle and while Schweinsteiger's discipline allowed Herrera to attack, he is superior in an advanced role.

This was patent at Chelsea in April, where United were deprived of Michael Carrick. Herrera started at the base of United's midfield instead of Rooney, where he was wasted, and his failure to switch to a cautious mindset contributed to Eden Hazard's breakaway winner.

Herrera looked uncomfortable passing laterally. His instinct is to pass the ball forwards, rather than mimic Ray Wilkins, and his deployment there against West Brom two weeks later blunted a frustrated United attack as they lost again.

Now Van Gaal has Schweinsteiger, Morgan Schneiderlin and Carrick, it is expected two of the trio will start the majority of United's games. Schneiderlin netted United's only goal at CenturyLink Field, though the silky Schweinsteiger is the more attack-minded of the duo.

From the thousands of selections on what Van Gaal's best side should be, Schweinsteiger and Schneiderlin naturally start, with Mata the chosen playmaker. It was startling to notice Angel di Maria was chosen ahead of Herrera.

Supporters' reactions to the Schweinsteiger and Schneiderlin buys have created a feel-good atmosphere and fuelled optimism at United. The club's midfield overhaul might have ended with the pair and began with Marouane Fellaini, yet it was Herrera who reminded Steven Gerrard someone in a United shirt was prepared to get stuck in at Anfield and he also overran Yaya Toure.

Impressed, Van Gaal highlighted the telepathy between Herrera, Mata and Antonio Valencia in the Anfield press room back in March.

"If you are playing good we have to play like a team and now Mata is playing as a false right winger in the combination with Herrera and Valencia," he said. "It gives him more opportunities."

Mata's belated return to the first-team, a month on from Herrera's, enhanced his compatriot and the pair scored seven between them in United's last 10 games.

Retaining Herrera is essential and feasible even with Schweinsteiger and Schneiderlin. As a midfield trio, they could be formidable and Herrera would be backed by two defensive-minded teammates. He could even develop into a playmaker.

Fellaini is suspended for the first three Premier League games and Di Maria's unresolved future leaves a shortage of proven attacking central midfielders available to Van Gaal, not that Herrera should feel inferior than either of them.

Van Gaal should tweak around Herrera.

Sebenernya kedatangan Schneiderlin dan Schweinsteiger bikin ane sedikit khawatir dengan peluang Herrera jadi pemain inti. Musim lalu Herrera ditemeni Carrick yang difesif dan Fellaini yang cenderung ofensif. Nah saat ini ada duo Schneiderlin yang tipikalnya lebih difensif dibanding Fellaini. Klo trio Schneiderlin dan Schweinteiger Herrera maka bisa jadi peran Herrera bakal lebih ofensif dari sebelumnya. Bisa jadi peran baru buat dia di United. Itu yang bikin rada was2,he...

[zudomiriku]

Manchester United face a midfield conundrum... Louis van Gaal has seven players worth £164.5m vying for three spots

* Louis van Gaal is planning to use a 4-3-3 formation with Manchester United next season and faces some serious selection questions
* United have seven high-profile names competing for three spots in central midfield and something has got to give
* Stalwart Michael Carrick and new signing Bastian Schweinsteiger are among the names in contention for the Red Devils' new look

With Louis van Gaal planning to use a 4-3-3 formation next season, seven players including Michael Carrick will be competing for three places in the centre of midfield.

Here, Sportsmail's Joe Bernstein takes us through the candidates, both new and old, hoping to secure a starting berth for the Red Devils.

BASTIAN SCHWEINSTEIGER

Cost: £14million (signed 2015)

Recently arrived from Bayern Munich with a big reputation having previously helped his club win the Champions League and starring in Germany's World Cup win in 2014.

At 30, there are doubts about his fitness, however, and he was ruled out of Saturday night's friendly against Barcelona in the USA.


Schweinsteiger, a high-profile arrival from Bayern Munich this summer, presents a new midfield option

MORGAN SCHNEIDERLIN

Cost: £24million (signed 2015)

Lauded as one of the reasons Southampton qualified for the Europa League last season.

French holding midfield player, Arsenal and Spurs held a long-term interest but United were the ones who made their move this summer by offering him Champions League football.


Schneiderlin, one of the stand-out performers for Southampton last season, joined United for £24million

MICHAEL CARRICK

Cost: £18million (signed 2006)

Vice-captain and one of only two survivors from United's last Champions League win.

Having once been criticised for not being dynamic enough, Carrick is now regarded as one of the best passing midfield players in the league. As a senior player, van Gaal will look for him to be a major influence


Red Devils stalwart Michael Carrick is still going strong and will celebrate a decade at the club next year

JUAN MATA

Cost: £38million (signed 2014)

United treated it as a huge PR coup to get Mata from Chelsea when Jose Mourinho no longer wanted him at Stamford Bridge.

The Spaniard struggled under David Moyes but had something of a renaissance under Van Gaal and reached double figures for goals. A creative player in the middle.


Juan Mata, the playmaker signed from Chelsea, has hit some impressive form under Van Gaal

ANDER HERRERA

Cost: £29million (signed 2014)

David Moyes wanted the energetic box-to-box Spaniard but he'd had the sack before the player finally arrived at Old Trafford.

Van Gaal wasn't inclined to use the 25-year-old regularly despite the hefty price tag and he started only half of United's 38 Premier League games, scoring seven times.


Despite his huge price tag, Ander Herrera has not been a mainstay in Van Gaal's United side

MAROUANE FELLAINI

Cost: £27.5million (signed 2013)

Became a symbol for the failed Moyes regime as Fellaini was initially unable to transform his Everton form at Old Trafford.

Van Gaal wasn't impressed either until he started using him as an alternative centre-forward. He is a midfielder though and it will be hard for him to play this term.


The flagship signing of the ill-fated David Moyes era at United, Marouane Fellaini faces tough competition

DALEY BLIND

Cost: £14million (signed 2014)

The Dutchman signed from Ajax is versatile enough to play a number of positions but if pushed he likes to sit in front of the back-four and dictate play, though he could also appear on the left of a midfield three.

Not quick or dynamic, Blind is nevertheless steady and van Gaal can rely on him


Versatile Dutchman Daley Blind is capable of playing a number of positions across the midfield

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3174619/Manchester-United-face-midfield-conundrum-Louis-van-Gaal-seven-players-worth-164-5m-vying-three-spots.html