Van Gaal to play 4-3-3 in opener

LOUIS van Gaal has confirmed United will continue to play in a 4-3-3 formation, despite operating in a 4-2-3-1 system during their four pre-season games.

After unsuccessful trials with 3-5-2, a 4-4-2 diamond and 4-3-1-2 last season, Van Gaal settled on the 4-3-3 system he made his reputation with in February and United’s performances improved significantly.

Memphis Depay’s arrival, though, appeared to signal a shift on the pre-season tour, as the Dutchman played close behind Wayne Rooney with Michael Carrick and either Morgan Schneiderlin or Bastian Schweinsteiger deployed as the two holding midfielders.

Van Gaal, though, sees Depay (pictured) as a midfielder, despite his potency as a winger with PSV Eindhoven last season.

“That the midfielder is [sometimes] in front of the striker is not bad because I think you do need variation in your attack,” said van Gaal.

“I like that and I ask for that, especially from Memphis.

“It can also be Carrick or Schweinsteiger or Schneiderlin once in a while but mostly Memphis. It depends on our opponents.”

When pressed on which formation he will adopt against Tottenham in next week’s Premier League opener, Van Gaal replied: “More or less 4-3-3. We played that already last season, in the second half of the season, and I have said that is the system I want to use.

“We played in our shape and played how we have to play.

“That’s also where I have been very satisfied.”