Robin van Persie: 4-3-3 or 3-5-2 cannot be an excuse for another Manchester United defeat

Van Persie blames form not tactics for poor Manchester United results

Manchester United striker Robin van Persie has backed his manager Louis van Gaal to succeed at the club. He also told his teammates that they have 'no excuses' for failing in the first three games of the new Premier League season.

Van Gaal, who was appointed this summer by United, has introduced a new 3-5-2 system at Old Trafford. However, the team have struggled to adapt to this new philosophy having managed only two points in the first three games of the season.

Van Persie, who also played under Van Gaal for Netherlands at the World Cup earlier this summer defended the tactical methods of the manager.

“It’s plain and simple. The manager chooses his tactics. We, the players, have nothing else to do than to execute what the manager has in his mind," Van Persie said.

“Tactics and formation are matters for the manager and his staff, not something the players must get involved in. We, the players, have not been educated as coaches. We are players, we play. I don’t think we should even want to get involved in tactical discussions.

“As captain of Holland I may have the right to get involved in tactical discussions, but even there I choose not to. Whether it is 4-3-3, 3-5-2, nothing can be an excuse for another defeat. We have to adapt to every manager. There’s not one way or method in football,” he added.

Manchester United will look to secure their first win of the season as they host Queens Park Rangers on Sunday. Deadline day signings Daley Blind and Radamel Falcao will be available for selections while Argentinean defender Marcos Rojo could also make his debut after having secured his work permit last week.