This is assuming we purchase Hummels and Vidal. Given what we seen with LVG's team in this years WC, I think United will be playing a 3-4-3 formation. With the introduction of wing-backs, this formation is very attack-oriented.

After the game vs. Galaxy:

Van Gaal also explained that the new system gives him greater flexibility to use what he feels are his team's strengths up front."We have four No. 10s, so the selection is not balanced in my eyes," he said. "When we play 4-3-3, I have three strikers on the bench and that is not good because I want to play with two strikers."

The new United boss said that if things don't work out with the new formation, he is always open to changing it to something else. But for now, he's happy with the way things went after the first try with a new philosophy."When I am introducing a new system, every good result helps in confidence," Van Gaal said. "It is better to win 7-0 than to lose and the players doubt the system. Now I don't have that problem."

Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena tipped his hat to United and their new formation, saying it closely resembled the approach Van Gaal used with his Dutch team during their run to the semifinals of the World Cup in Brazil.

"They played with a back three and some version of a 3-5-2 or 3-4-3 and that's a big change for a Manchester United," Arena said. "They are a club that's traditionally in a 4-4-2 or 4-3-3.

"You know I'm sure he's going to get some new players and be a little more dangerous going forward and get the players that fit those tactics in the right way. They are certainly going to be a good team this year; it's going to be a great campaign in the Premiership."

I know I had no faith in united playing with 5 at the back mainly because it was Van Gaal's way of accommodating a lack of quality at the back with Holland. Bu now that I saw how it was uses with United I can totally understand why is Van Gaal using the same tactics. United and Holland are very similar, with a very strong offence, a decent midfield and a doubtful defence.

Still, its a system I dont really like for United. For it to work we need a couple of new CBs to give the necessary strength to that back line.

btw. TheGame, you predicted very well the lineup, almost with the same players who played against Galaxy

@TheGame: Didn't expect a 3-5-2. But, I guess this is the formation he will be sticking to now. You called it!

@Marcus

I never rated Luiz much because he is too rash. But I shouldn't complain because Sergio Ramos was the same for many years. He only mopped up in the last year-and-a-half.

And yes, I can tell why Mourinho likes Oscar over Mata. Brazil should focus their game more on Oscar than Neymar. Neymar might be able to win them games, but Oscar was the man who won them the Confederations Cup (every attack went through him.... I was thoroughly impressed by his performances. He just seemed a little tired towards the end of both the Confed Cup and the World Cup. Maybe he just plays too many games during the club season).

Sorry to interrupt you guys but what United fans think about Hererra ? ;)

I don't think United fans watch Athletic Bilbao.....
No need to start a hellfire league debate here from nothing. They'll find out how good Herrera is soon enough.

He just played his first game, go watch highlight sections. I was congratulating them not picking a fight.

Herrera played great, he was one of the best performers in that match. He seems like he really wants to be a starter with United. He would have made a really big difference if we had gotten him last season.

@tiki_taka, brilliant player. He is so good at keeping the ball and very rarely gives it away. We'll have to see though how well he can utilize his skills in the PL where open spaces can easily be exploited. But so far, I am impressed.

Midfielders from La Liga tend to do better in the EPL due to the larger amounts of space in the final third of the pitch. Herrera will be fine.

Herrera did great indeed. Btw, Im not a big fan of having 5 defs, well it's just safer, we dont have a strong defense so may be thats why.

But LVG can change formation 3 times within a game, so I hope he will use it wisely depend on the opponent.

Haven't heard anything bigger than rumor from Blind yet... Should we be worried?

About the transfers, I hope Barcelona sign Cuadrado too. He is a little too
expensive in my opinion, and we do not really need a wing back now that
we have Shaw, Rafael, Young and Valencia. About Vermalen, he is 28, and
injury prone. I'd rather give Tyler Blackett and Michael Keane a chance
to prove themselves based on Blackett's performances in the preseason.
Its not like we are playing in Europe this year, so we do not need a lot
of reinforcements...We do not need Vidal in my opinion, but I would welcome him.
Your thoughts fellow fans?

I wouldn't worry too much about the start line, LVG can change 3 formation in 1 game for the Dutch he can do that too for MU. :)

@tiki made an excellent point about not having to play CL, but CL keep players motivated too.