Van Gaal: I made a quality decision and now I can laugh

The Manchester United manager feels vindicated that his switch back to a three-man defence was the right move, though noting that he would have been castigated for it after a loss

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal says that he can now "laugh" after his "quality decision" to revert to a three-at-the-back formation saw his side beat Arsenal 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium.

With injuries continuing to plague his squad, the Dutchman deployed youngsters Paddy McNair and Tyler Blackett alongside Chris Smalling in central defence, with Antonio Valencia and Luke Shaw on the flanks.

The Red Devils had seen an upturn in results since switching to a four-man back line in early September but Van Gaal now feels vindicated, though noting that he would have been castigated for the same decision if the result had gone the other way.

“If Arsenal had scored in the first 20 minutes, you would be asking about why I picked three defenders - but now I can laugh,” he observed to reporters.

“I am confident I made the right decision. To make it before the match, that’s a quality decision. I can say that now, that’s the life of a coach. The result always gives you the reason or not.

“I have to say I cannot do other things because I don’t have many players. I think the players have done fantastic. Blackett, McNair and Shaw - how old are they?

“I hope some players come back from injuries because it’s unbelievably difficult to create consistency in the team,” he continued. “Every week I have to change my lineup. That is not always good to create ultimatism in the team.