LvG explains United's new tactics

Louis van Gaal tried out a 3-5-2 formation last night in Manchester United’s 7-0 win over LA Galaxy. Given the amount of quality attacking players United have, the manager wants to make the best use of them, and believes that the 3-5-2 is the best way to do this.

Having worked hard on the formation in training all week, which was demonstrated by the huge scoreline and United’s second half line-up, almost entirely different from the first, employing the same tactics.

Van Gaal says that he will keep the new formation for as long as it works, but will revert to 4-3-3 if needs by.

“When you want to change a system, you must start at once,” he said. “We don’t have time to prepare for other things. The other system they can play is 4-3-3 and they have played it for many years. I can change it back if it doesn’t work. With the quality of the players we have, I can play 4-3-3 with three strikers on the bench, but I want to play with two strikers. We have four number 10s, so the selection is not balanced in my eyes. I have decided to play this system because of the quality of the players. But if we lose, I can change back to another system.”