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Manchester United 's midfield could be in for a shake up at West Bromwich Albion on Monday with the diamond taking on a new look.

The anchor role and the number 10 berths in manager Louis van Gaal’s engine room shape may have new incumbents.

Michael Carrick started light training for the Reds almost two weeks ago and has stepped up his programme. The 33-year-old could be ready for a comeback from his ankle ligament injury sustained in the first days of pre-season training in July.

Van Gaal’s first press conference when he was unveiled as the new United manager on July 5 saw the Dutchman have to deliver the first of too many downbeat medical reports when he revealed that Carrick had been injured the day earlier.

“That’s a blow for me. He’s an experienced player. It is important to have experienced players,” said van Gaal at the time.

It was even suggested Carrick was uppermost in van Gaal’s mind for the Reds captaincy up to that setback.

The loss of Carrick’s reassuring presence has been allayed by the early form of late summer transfer buy Daley Blind. The £14m Dutch international from Ajax has made an impressive start to his Old Trafford career.

But having been a mainstay of van Gaal’s Holland World Cup side in Brazil in the summer and having played in both of new Netherlands manager Guus Hiddink’s Euro 2016 qualifiers against Kazakhstan and Iceland, Blind may need a breather.

Carrick’s potential return couldn’t have been more timely though LVG might even pair up the two in the absence of Ander Herrera who is nursing the fractured rib he sustained against West Ham.

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The other role to consider is that of the player ‘in the hole’ behind Radamel Falcao and Robin van Persie.

Rooney will serve the second of his three match ban at West Brom having been sent off against West Ham. His role was taken up by Juan Mata against Everton but the Spaniard wasn’t convincing and his future remains a hot topic of debate.

Last January’s £37.1m buy from Chelsea was also dropped by Spain boss Vincente del Bosque for their qualifiers against Slovakia and Luxembourg.

It leaves the possibility that Adnan Januzaj’s United season could finally be set for lift-off.

A year ago the teenager was flavour of the month after making his debut for David Moyes and scoring two goals in his first start away at Sunderland.

The former Reds boss poured praise on the Belgian in an interview last weekend.

“Adnan Januzaj is, in my managerial time, the best young talent up there with Wayne Rooney. When we had Wayne at Everton you could see the potential. Adnan Januzaj has got all that at the same age as Wayne,” declared Moyes.

“He’s one of the best young talents in Europe and he will go on to become one of the best players. I can only see the boy going right to the top.”

Sceptical Reds might not see that as a ringing endorsement coming from Moyes but he did bring through some fine young talent at Everton.

Since last October’s sensational start, Januzaj’s star has steadily waned and he hasn’t started for van Gaal yet this season.

The Dutch boss has been pretty blunt when asked why the 19-year-old wasn’t getting a chance.

“He has to compete with very good players. That’s why he hasn’t started yet.”

Januzaj was an unused sub for Belgium in their Euro qualifiers against Bosnia and Herzegovina and Andorra so he’s fresh and has always hankered after the number 10 role.

Having scored a hat trick against Sunderland for the Under 21s and a goal at Spurs for Warren Joyce’s side he is champing at the bit.