How will Manchester United line up against Tottenham Hotspur?

There has been much talk of Manchester United playing Louis van Gaal's supposedly favoured 4-3-3 formation, but so far the teamsheets in the friendlies have not been faithful to such an assumption.

In defence, it's been a standard four at the back, and though Van Gaal has said that Antonio Valencia is the current number one number 2, Matteo Darmian has been so much better already that you must assume that it is lip service. With Sergio Ramos now set to stay at Real Madrid, it's likely that Nicolas Otamendi will be the defender to arrive to partner Chris Smalling.

In midfield, it seems so far that United are playing with two deeper players. The reports that United accept that Michael Carrick will make a move at the end of next season, having rejected bids from Newcastle United and Inter Milan, suggests that his role will not be as prominent this season. Although Ander Herrera finished last season strongly, the arrival of Bastian Schweinsteiger and the energetic, defensive Morgan Schneiderlin, makes it most likely that they are the starting two in a 4-2-3-1.

Ahead of that Ashley Young has played on the left, Memphis Depay has played behind Wayne Rooney, and Juan Mata has occupied his traditional right-wing position where he established himself last season. Now, Van Gaal has bemoaned the lack of creativity in the side, and so with Pedro's possible arrival, it is most likely that Young, who Van Gaal specifically mentioned as not a creative player for all his merits, will lose out.

Up front Wayne Rooney has no rival, and as such will begin the season as the number one striker, and the same goes for David de Gea, who will probably remain at United for at least one more season.

Here's a predicted line up for the Spurs game: