Van Gaal opted to switch to a 4-4-2 in the second half at Loftus Road today.
Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has explained the reasoning behind his decision to switch to a 4-4-2 diamond formation in the second half of their 2-0 win at Queens Park Rangers today, report the Daily Star, with the Dutchman admitting that his side create more goalscoring opportunities when playing that system.
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United fans had chanted for a switch to a 4-4-2 system from the away end at Loftus Road towards the end of a turgid first half but, whilst van Gaal would eventually relent, his comments also indicate that Red Devils fans probably can’t expect a long term switch to the system.
Whilst van Gaal admitted that his side created more when playing four in midfield, as shown by their two second half goals in West London, he also suggested that it allows them less “control” of the game – using the chances that QPR created themselves in the second half as evidence:
“I know in advance that when we play with four midfielders in a diamond that we create more chances, but then the balance of the team is also weak.”
“And you’ve seen it because we had created chances but so had QPR.”
“We have to decide every week how we have to play. And that’s the question.”
United have used a 4-4-2 at times this season, with their best run of form appearing to come as a result of the change at the end of 2014, but van Gaal still appears to prefer a 3-4-1-2 formation.