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Does Van Gaal stick with 3-5-2?

There is arguably one United player from last week's win at Arsenal who deserves to be dropped (more of him later) and this week has been about Reds returning from, rather than suffering, injury.

Maligned men such as Chris Smalling, Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young all excelled at the Emirates Stadium and the prospect of consistency in defence should not be underestimated. Tyler Blackett is accustomed to playing in a back three and Paddy McNair fared well in the system, too.

The formation would also allow Angel di Maria to break forward centrally, which elicited one goal for Wayne Rooney and the Argentinean should have scored himself.

Wilson in, Van Persie out?

When even Paddy Crerand admits you have a problem, you know you are on borrowed time and it is difficult to identify a reason why Robin van Persie should retain his place on Saturday.

Aside from a paltry three goals in 11 games, he looks distracted, is failing to make the right runs and has lost his fear factor. Van Persie's performance level last season wasn't particularly high yet he still managed a credible 18 goals in 28 games.

Louis van Gaal said James Wilson has been "knocking on the door" for a start and the door must have been reduced to splinters by now.

Will Herrera return?

Michael Carrick would be unlucky to lose his place after a nerveless performance in north London, yet Hull's visit should be regarded as an opportunity for United to buck the trend of the nervy and narrow wins they've ground out since September's 4-0 evisceration of Queens Park Rangers.

Despite injury problems, Herrera could become the first United central midfielder to hit the 10-goals mark since Paul Scholes 10 seasons ago. He has two in five already and his knack for goals was reaffirmed with a fine strike in the Reserves on Tuesday night.

Carrick has brought serenity to the team since his return from injury but, with two games in four days, Van Gaal must also consider Tuesday's encounter with Stoke.

Can Smalling cement his place?

With Phil Jones still injured and Jonny Evans not yet match-fit, Chris Smalling will not have a finer chance of establishing himself in United's defence.

Before his "stupid" second yellow card at City, he had performed commandingly against Chelsea and was an unsung hero in United's resistance against Arsenal.

Smalling stood out as United's best centre-back last season yet David Moyes, like Sir Alex Ferguson, was prone to switching him to right-back. Van Gaal, at least, seems to have acknowledged there is only one place Smalling should play and it is now up to the 25-year-old to prove his worth to the Dutchman.

Three-in-a-row?

Moyes' effect on United, or lack of it, can be gauged by the fact the Reds last won three games in a row last December. Yes, Van Gaal's era has begun erratically, but the Dutchman has had to contend with an injury crisis and a major period of transition at the club.

Steve Bruce made some impressive signings in the summer but Hull have won twice in the Premier League all season, have not collected three points in almost a month and lost their last three.

Van Gaal isn't one for excuses and United will only have themselves to blame if they fail to build on those three valuable points at Arsenal.