Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has hinted at the players who could line up at the back in their Premier League opener against Tottenham Hotspur.
The Red Devils started with a back four of Luke Shaw, Daley Blind, Phil Jones and new signing Matteo Darmian in the final friendly of their pre-season tour of the United States against Paris Saint-Germain earlier today.
And despite their 2-0 loss to the French champions, manager Van Gaal is set to continue with the same formation and personnel in his club’s Premier League opener against Spurs on the 8th of August, with the exception of Jones, whose position he says is under consideration.
“I have to start with the formation and when the formation is doing well, I let them play in that formation.
“I think I shall play Shaw with Darmian, and with Daley Blind. The right central position I have to consider”, said the Dutchman in the post-match press conference, via his club’s official website.
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The 63-year-old singled out new signing Darmian’s performance for special praise, and talked up his versatility.
“I am very pleased with the performance of Matteo Darmian, and you can see he can play on the right and left.”
Van Gaal believes the players coming off without any injury in pre-season will benefit the club for the new season, and is confident of starting the 2015/16 campaign on a positive note, and has also talked up the balance of his squad.
“Also, a benefit of this year’s tour is that we don't have any injuries.
“Last year I was forced to use, for example, Tyler Blackett and Jesse Lingard in the first Premier League match.
“Now, I have a wider selection and I can use everybody who I think I have to use.
“There is more competition now and there is more balance in the selection. I have a lot of confidence to start the competition”, Van Gaal added.
The Red Devils, who kicked off the 2014/15 season with a home defeat to Swansea City, will hope for a positive result in their opening game against Spurs this time around.
