Manchester United: Louis van Gaal's 5 Strangest Tactical Decisions

Manchester United: Louis van Gaal’s 5 Strangest Tactical Decisions

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MARCH 17: Manager Louis van Gaal of Manchester United walks off at halftime during the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 Second Leg match between Manchester United and Liverpool at Old Trafford on March 17, 2016 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by John Peters/Man Utd via Getty Images) /

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LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 04: Alexis Sanchez of Arsenal scores a goal to make it 3-0 during the Barclays Premier League match between Arsenal and Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium on October 04, 2015 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images) /

2. Arsenal 3-0 Manchester United

For some unknown reason, Van Gaal decided this would be a good match to experiment with a high-pressing game.

Against Arsenal.

On a pitch as big as the one at the Emirates Stadium.

It was truly incredible, not least because the Dutchman left Morgan Schneiderlin – one of the Premier League’s best defensive midfielders – on the bench in favour of the aging Michael Carrick and Bastian Schweinsteiger. To say the duo were overrun is an understatement.

Arsenal tore United to shreds in the first 20 minutes, scored three goals and then cruised to victory in the second half. Van Gaal did make a tactical switch at half-time, but the game was long gone by then.

Next: United 1-1 Liverpool

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