exploit his team setup in recent Premier League matches because his
hands have been tied by injuries.
Last weekend at Aston Villa, the Dutch boss resorted to the same 3-5-2
formation as was the case in the home win over Liverpool. Ashley Young
and Antonio Valencia have been employed in wing-back roles in the
absence of Rafael, who is yet to make his first start since the 1-1
draw with Chelsea, and Luke Shaw, sidelined with an ankle ligament
damage sustained during the win at Arsenal.
"I have to select what I want but now I am forced to select," Van Gaal
told MUTV. "For a manager, that is not good."
Young and Valencia have been reliable in United's attacking arsenal;
the former providing an assist for Radamel Falcao's leveler at Villa
Park last weekend and the latter also setting up a goal in the
emphatic win over Liverpool.
United Has Enjoyed Backing from Manchester United Hierarchy Since
Taking Over the Reins at Old Trafford. Image: Man Utd via Getty.
The 63-year-old admitted that the two wingers have done well for the
team but cannot wait to have his full-backs back.
Asked how pleased he has been with Young and Valencia, Van Gaal
replied: "Yeah, but as wing-backs and not as full-backs. Now I am more
or less obliged to play with wing-backs because the real full-backs,
Shaw and Rafael da Silva, were not fit enough and that is not good."
Midfielder, Angel Di Maria, has also been forced to play in wider
positions on the attack in recent matches and the Dutch boss says that
is also as a result of his limited options in the midfield, with Daley
Blind and Maroaune Fellaini presently sidelined.
Newcastle's visit to Old Trafford on Boxing Day presents another
opportunity for the 'Red Devils' to return to winning ways after
watching their six-game winning run end with a draw in midland. United
are third in the table into the busy Christmas schedule, in which they
will face three different opponents in the space of seven days.
Aside the opening day loss to Swansea, Van Gaal's side have won all
their home matches this season.
The manager has been backed by many of the club's hierarchy to excel,
most recently by former manager Sir Alex Ferguson, who presently
serves in a director's role following his retirement.
The Scot believes United will re-emerge stronger when the injury
situations are over with, telling BT Sport "he (Van Gaal) is a great
coach, he'll do well."
Van Gaal added: "It is fantastic when you come to Manchester United.
You hope, because I know Sir Alex, that he shall support you. When he
is supporting you, because he is doing that not only this week but
also other conferences he gave, he shows a lot of confidence in belief
in me; that I need as a trainer coach, as a manager of Manchester
United.
"You need the belief and support of managers such as Sir Alex, but
also from Sir Bobby Charlton and David Gill. I have the belief, so I'm
very happy with that because then you can work in a more easy way.
It's also a pressure because he believes in you, and it gives you that
pressure that you have to give results. It is not so easy to win the
Premier League matches."
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