Former United star not impressed by Louis van Gaal’s regular formation.
Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal should consider moving away from the 3-5-2 system that he has favoured for the majority of the season so far, that is according to former Red Devils defender Gary Neville, who has made his comments just days after United fans chanted from the away end at Loftus Road for a tactical switch to 4-4-2.
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Neville was speaking on Monday Night Football ahead of tonight’s Premier League stalemate between Everton and West Bromwich Albion and, according to quotes from the Mail, the former England international also believes that regularly playing 4-4-2 would benefit United as it makes them more dangerous in attack.
Van Gaal has opted to use the 3-5-2 system that was so effectively employed by his Netherlands side at the World Cup since he took over at Old Trafford, with Red Devils stars Daley Blind and Robin Van Persie thriving particularly in the 5-1 victory over Spain, but it has not been quite as effective in the Premier League and United’s best winning run this season actually came in the midst of a brief switch to a 4-4-2 diamond system.
The Dutchman has reverted in recent weeks, however, a mistake that Neville believes is costing them as it encourages players to play the “safe” option to other central defenders who tend to be free:
“Louis van Gaal wants them to recycle the ball and switch the play. I’m not a fan of 3-5-2 because centre-backs are the free men and they become the safe option.”
“They play out the back but the tempo too slow. Far too often they are keeping possession and passing backwards. ”
“They’ve become quite predictable in past few weeks. Manchester United looked far more dangerous on Saturday when they changed the system.”