Man United's flexibility

As a life long United fan I was playing the game we play of trying to guess Ferguson's team for last nights Carling Cup tie against fierce rivals Leeds United. I didn't come close. But who can question Ferguson the title of greatest ever manager when his visions become clear to the rest of us.
Whether it is something that United have stumbled on or has been in the managers plans but the decision to play Antonio Valencia at right back made sense. He played there last season and as Fergie tries to fit all his star names into the same team Valencia might be playing there a lot more. By having him there it mirrors what Danial Alves does at Barcelona. Except that Valencia might be better going backwards than the Brazilian. Away from home United will probably play Smalling or Jones at right back for the extra threat they carry on set pieces. But the way the youngsters have started I don't think it will be long before Jones and Smalling are playing at centre back with Evra at left back. That will free Valencia to start at right back. What an attacking defence that would be. That also allows Nani and Young more freedom and Fletcher and Anderson in the middle with the energy and drive with Rooney and either Welbeck or Hernandez up front.
Then last night young Ben Amos announced himself with a decent performance while Carrick and Fryers who made his debut did enough and the second half was a mere canter. Only minuses would be maybe it just isn't going to happen for Fabio at United. It's hard for him as he doesn't get the run of games that Rafael gets due to the outstanding Evra but both need to put down the Paul Scholes book of tackling. When your not playing every week the last thing you can afford is getting suspended when you do play. Then there is Diouf and Macheda only 6th and 7th in the Old Trafford pecking order. Macheda should of gone out on loan this season after what it did for Cleverley and Welbeck. Sitting in the reserves and cameo appearances won't see the best from him. I'm not sure where Diouf fits in to the grand scheme of things. He had flashes at Blackburn last season but again needs the regular football.
Other pluses from the match had to be Michael Owen's return and lets be fair, Ok he scuffed his first but was aiming there and what a second goal. From Michael Owen. A player who the squad, management and fans all appreciate for his squad ability. He will get spells on the sidelines but Ferguson will get the best out of him. Many feel with Owen fit then Berbatov is another who could become surplus to requirements. And then we have the evergreen Giggs and the tireless Park but who would willingly play anywhere and have done and will need to as although they are no longer guaranteed starters but still bring something that adds the squad. That will be how Ferguson views the next few windows. His teams have proved that playing out of position isn't a problem for many of his players and he will trim the edges of his squad with the likes of Kuszczak and Gibson two of the first expected out. I was a little surprised given the new found good relations between Ferguson and Wenger that Arsenal didn't put some offer in for Gibson but he seems to of fallen from favour at Old Trafford. Only time will tell but United's flexibilty is leaving their opponents second guessing.
And so United rumble on to Stoke and if they can stay unbeaten after 10 games the media will really start to whip up the hype. Nobody has said it yet but can they go unbeaten all season. With City looking good it certainly would be some achievement.