Manchester United’s formation for new season

Louis van Gaal has said Manchester United will line up in a 4-3-3 formation next season.

The Dutch tactician tinkered with his team last season during his debut campaign, as United overcame a poor start to finish fourth in the Premier League.

Van Gaal’s men have completed their pre-season tour of the US and are ready for their first match of the season against Tottenham. It appears the manager has decided on his plans.

“More or less 4-3-3,” he told the club’s official website.

“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 [on tour] and played how we have to play. That’s also where I have been very satisfied.”

He added: “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, in a press conference following the final tour match against PSG.

“I like that and I ask for that, especially from Memphis. It can also be [Michael] Carrick or [Bastian] Schweinsteiger or [Morgan] Schneiderlin once in a while but mostly Memphis [Depay]. It depends on our opponents.”