Manchester United: Predicting the Starting XI for 2010-11 Season

It is again another season to start, with loads of aspirations and dreams flying over the ground of Old Trafford.

Manchester United heads to the race with the hunger which could not be filled last time.

The Silverware beckons the Red Devils and like all the other teams of the EPL, they will fight for glory, live for their dreams.

As days go by, the EPL becomes a treat to the eyes to watch. The level of the game has certainly moved up to higher levels and now you cannot say who will upset whom at certain time.

It is all for hard work and passion out there, and a mix will be the best with the right strategy.

Talking of the strategy, the formation and the starting line up of the team plays a major role in riding the dreams. Though it is the manager who will have his final say, but you also cheer in your heart when you see the names of your favorite idols on the list and also see the comeback heroes.

Though it is still unclear that what exact formation Sir Alex Ferguson will go with in this season, but we can try it out with a  4-5-1 style or a classic 4-4-2 one.

Let us take a look at the possible names that will appear in Ferguson's Starting XI in season 2010-11. 

After Peter Schmeichel's legendary status, it was many to take the place of a goalkeeper for United, but hardly could one become the consistent No. 1 like Van Der Sar.

The Holland goalkeeper will have his last season in Old Trafford this year and he still remains the No. 1 choice for the manager and the fans. At 40 years, he is still quick and that expert in front of the goal.

After 220 appearances for United, Van Der Saar will continue to add strength and greatness to the team this year, also. Though reports were on air that Sir Alex is looking for possible replacements for Edwin but still he could not arrive on any final decision.

Van Der Saar retired from the National team but continued to serve his club for which he has been a part since 2005, and we hope another wonderful season from one of the best goalkeepers of the world.   

Wes Brown is a tough tackler and one of the most talented defenders out there, but it is only to his injury problems that he could not get the heights of legends.

Anyways, he is good in the air and can cover a wider area of the pitch and will always be a No. 1 choice if he stays fit and fine.

While the United legend Gary Neville has taken the Red Devils through periods of glory, he may be probably having his last season for United too.

He has been crticized for being aged and sloppy, but Gary Neville can bring in an aura of leadership with him to the team and guide his men to the victory.

He will be featured more, if not regularly, then in tougher games with bigger teams.

While the other option is surely United's young talent Rafael who seems to be a perfect modern back, bombarding through the right flank often, is sensational but will be more regular with more experience and maturity.

So, the next season of 2011-12 may be the ideal season of him as a starting line up.

The strong centre back has been a favorite among the fans as well as has been regarded as one of the best playing centre backs of the world. Vidic wil always be the man for United.

While Vidic climbed to the club's starting team since his beginning in 2005, he has acheived great heights with the club and is a solid rock at the back for the Red Devils.

Not much to say about the people's favorite, you already like him so much!

The obvious choice for the centre back pairing Vidic would always have been the United great man Rio Ferdinand. But Rio is out in injury and may take a month or two to recover, thus leaving the manager with the choice of featuring Jonny Evans as the partner to Vidic.

Evans is a great rising talent and is ice cool in pressure situations. He has great passing ability from the defense and can do superb tackles to take control of the ball. He is tall and agile and has impressed all with his performance.

While his United future has already been assured, seems like he is going to be featured more due to Ferdinand's injuries. Evans is here to stay and stay put.

It is needless to guess who this will be, the left back of United will be the obvious Evra.

Evra is the man for United who can not only give good cover to the defense but also move up the left flank, host attacks and leaves a great impact on the game.

Evra provides the right mix of energy and dimension that United needs and has also been a leader at times. He is in form and fully fit and is always a treat to watch at his best.

The last season signing of United from Wigan Athletic has been phenomenal in the right wing.

He is typically the old fashoned right midfield who runs down the length of the field with great pace beating the marker and chips in crosses for the forward to score.

And then again, he can score too.

Valencia brought United a much-needed winger after the departure of Christiano Ronaldo.

Though Valencia still has a longer way to climb, but it is evident that he will shine more with experience and maturity. 

But I think it will be a toss between Nani and Valencia for the moment. Nani will be recovering back soon from the injury that ruled him out of the World Cup 2010 and can fill in the right wing position when needed.

Darren Fletcher emerged as the most important anchoring midfielder in United in last season.

While Carrick still remains out with injury, it will be another great season ahead of Fletcher who plays excellently in United's heart pulling the strings of the team.

Fletcher is tall and tough and can often score even or make an assist if needed.

Darren Fletcher is United's player to watch surely.

Paul Scholes is a rare talent. Though he is old and will be retiring soon, he still remains irreplaceable in United.

His fine passing ability, long-range power shots to the goal and box-to-box running with the ball makes him a difference maker in the game.

Scholes is losing the magic he once brought to the game, but still United needs him as an inspiration in the heart of midfield.

Reports linked German talent Mesut Ozil with United as a replacement to Scholes but it is still unsure that will Fergie go for any more player this season.

Scholes can be substituted at times with Ji-Sung Park who can also play as a starting player in some games.

Park is a thunder ball of energy and fiery attacks; he can mesmerize the defense at times and continues to be one of the finest trump cards of Fergie.

Just as the picture says, even if it fades away, even if it becomes still and becomes the old black and white, Ryan Giggs and his red heart will remain this season too as United's heartthrob.

It is just a dream to watch Giggs in his full form, dribbling past defenders, scoring goals, making wonderful crosses and assists, all at the age of 36.

Ryan Giggs received the PFA Player's Player of the year award in 2009 and continues to be an inspiration to the young United squad. He is the man.

With 858 appearances and over 155 goals for United, Giggs has more to give.

The number 11 is back again.

While Nani remains as another favorite of the left wing position, Fergie can think of playing either Nani or Giggs at times.

Nani has just returned from injury and also be used as a right winger instead of Valencia. Nani is a player that can leave you gasping at times.

You must see how he can dribble past three or four men at ease and then put the ball across the net.

While you may argue why did I put here the flop player of last season, and put Chicharito instead, but I guess it will be Berbatov who will Fergie's first choice as a supporting forward beside Wayne Rooney.

Berbatov was not sold by Ferguson, but retained and told that he will perform, really perform. Berbatov impressed fans by scoring against Celtic in United's preseason match.

While Chicharito will be played more as a substitute or in the cup matches, Berba will be featured more often in the league games and important ones.

This will be a great season for Berbatov, and he will prove that he has not died really; he can come and come back with a bang.

He is a great poacher and scorer, and this is the time to show that again.

He finished the last season with 26 goals for United. Rooney is the livewire of United's striking options.

He alone took United to where United finished last season. He is truly a world class striker and can take a lot of load for the team.

Rooney remains as my favorite and of all the fans, and he wishes to deliver another brilliant season to United. Can he excel his own 26 goals this time? We hope he can.

Wayne Rooney is the hope for United. And he will never let the Red Devils down. That's a fan's belief. 

At present United plans to have five forwards at its disposal. With Wayne Rooney and Berbatov, there will be Chicharito Hernandez, Michael Owen and Federico Macheda.

Chicharito has already impressed the manager with his performances in pre season matches and will be a favorite super sub option of the manager. 

Owen still looks a little out of form and can be used as a sub option when the manager fills the necessity.

But given a little time, Owen will be back to his old form. Macheda is the rising future face of United, agressive and a strong scorer, he will be one of Fergie's secret weapons of the game.

The others fitting in will be Rafael and Fabio at the backs with Gary Neville and John O'Shea in hand.

Hargreaves is till injured and Anderson also expects to grant us another bad season with injury.

The young stars like Gibson and Obertan can step up a level when needed. We have Ben Amos and Kuszczak as the sub Goalkeepers. 

Overall, we expect a great season ahead in the EPL and the Champion's League.