Man United vs Aston Villa - 04/04/15

Have to disagree with you guys. Jones has been playing well and we don't need to change our CB pairings again... not when we are winning.  Smalling and Jones have good chemistry imo. let them continue. I wouldn't want to see Di Maria starting in place of Young as well. Young has been linking really well with Blind on the left . He has been a threat offensively as well as solid defensively. Remember the clearance from Young the other day when Liverpool countered and Toni V slipped, Young was there to clear the mess. I doubt Di Maria would have tracked back.

I say stick with the current line-up. There's no need for any tinkering.

Jones has improved a lot in the last games, but still against Liverpool Smalling had to cover for him on a few occasions. Smalling - Rojo for me is the better option, gives us more stability and both of them are very useful when pressing.

That's what I had in mind when asked about an opinion of selecting Robin and shifted Rooney on the left side (but tucked in) of that potential attack. He wouldn't be a good option there as a direct replacement for Young like for like in terms of both position and role, what I had in mind is that unconventional position that we didn't use until Spurs game that Mata has occupied and executed to perfection. He (Rooney) wouldn't act as a playmaker, that role stays Mata's, but Rooney would be a pure old fashioned inside forward and with his attributes I think that he's more than enough capable to play it effectively.

As for the other parts of your post I completely agree, I wouldn't touch the central midfield by any means, they were pivotal in our last two games for the domination we have showed and like you said, created a perfect triangles.

There is also another possibility, to play Robin in that inside forward position like van Gaal has played him in the Dutch squad. He is also well capable to play there if those behind him are a well functioned unit. An inside forward primarily needs to possess good finishing and decent technical ability which both of Rooney and Robin have. Pace here doesn't play any role for it to be effective.

Now, if Young is available for this match, I wouldn't change anything, but if not, I have a dilemma between RvP and di Maria. It all depends how we are planning to approach this game. In one option di Maria would be a better solution (more pace and penetration through the flanks, playing a different role), in another option, a deep-lying forward with another role (Rooney or RvP). In both cases you need an overlaping full back and a good protection behind you. For which option van Gaal will opt is anyone's guess.

Yeah Jones out in the summer along with Evans for me. Smalling has impressed and has always been the most talented of the 3 imo.

Jones is still 23, I'm with edwood on this one - I think he'll stay along with Smalling and Evans will go and we'll bring a new guy, although I don't think it will be Hummels. I'd like to see us with Smalling-Rojo as a main pairing and someone(early 20s and promising)-Jones as our back-up.

That's a bit harsh for me.

Jones is more like Fellaini in you know he's going to jump into challenges and pull stupid faces like you know Fellaini is going to knock everyone about.

Maybe you are right in that he may never be first choice but I think he's good enough to have as a back up.

Smalling has impressed the last few games but is still expect a top quality experienced CB, Evans to be let go.