Rene
Meulensteen expects Manchester United to face their toughest test of the
season so far when Chelsea visit Old Trafford on Super Sunday, but he
believes victory will see their confidence surge.
Meulensteen, who coached at United for 12 years under Sir Alex Ferguson,
says he has seen his former side improve after a difficult start, thanks in
part to the versatility of manager Louis van Gaal.
But the 50-year-old, who briefly managed Fulham last season, insists there
are still frailties in the defence and fully expects Jose Mourinho to expose
those weaknesses and attack them this weekend.
Speaking on
Sky Sports News HQ ’Morning View', Meulensteen said:
“If we’re talking about the calibre of opponent then yes, this will be
United’s toughest test of the season so far.
“It’s going to be a huge test when Chelsea come, especially because they’re
top of the league and 10 points clear of United.
“But it would be a big boost for United if they can win. Winning games
breeds confidence and that is what United need. They need a run of wins and
if they can start against Chelsea that would be tremendous.
“It’s been an indifferent start, and in general it has proven to be a big
test for all of them. I don’t think they realised how difficult they’d find
it.
“Van Gaal has obviously changed the system a few times. He tried his
renowned 3-5-2 earlier in season but he’s gone back to playing more of a
back-four, which suits United better.
“But they’ve been struggling with players not available through injuries and
he can’t seem to get a settled defence, which means teams still look at
United and think they’ll get chances to score goals and that counts against
them.
“Mourinho will have a good look at how to exploit the weaknesses of United.
You can’t put it beyond him to do something completely different.
“I’m not sure that will mean Didier Drogba will play if Diego Costa doesn’t.
He could even push Eden Hazard up there, with a lot of pace and energy
up-front.”
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