Louis van Gaal: Jones and Smalling Injury Forced Me to Change Formation Against QPR

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal revealed injuries forced him to change the formation during his side's 4-0 victory over Queens Park Rangers.

The Dutchman was without the services of first choice centre-backs as Phil Jones and Chris Smalling were on the sidelines. Meanwhile, Luke Shaw recovered from injury and lacked match fitness to play a full 90 minutes.

Van Gaal changed the formation from 3-5-2 to 4-4-2 and fielded Rafael da Silva, Jonny Evans, Tyler Blackett and summer signing Marcos Rojo as their back four. United defenders did not face any trouble from QPR as the 20-time English champions sealed their first three points of the season.

"I was forced to play four defenders, but I know that the quality of the players allowed me to play this way," Van Gaal explained.

"I could hardly play with five defenders because Smalling and Jones were injured. I would have to have played a right-footed player on the right of defence," he said.

Summer signings Angel Di Maria and Ander Herrera netted the first two goals, before Wayne Rooney and Juan Mata got their name on the score sheet to give van Gaal his first win as United manager.

The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss expressed his delight with his side's display against QPR. The 63-year-old admitted that United gave away possession during the first three matches and believes the Old Trafford club can still get better.

"When you have a result of 4-0 then you can be happy as a coach but you always have points you can improve," United manager said.

"I am very happy because of the result and the way we have played. We were very dominant and scored goals and kept a clean sheet. In ball possession, I think we have lost the ball too much previously. We were more direct and that I like.

"Also, we have created a lot of chances, although we didn't score enough of them. We have always to analyse what we have done. The result is fantastic but we can get much better. This is a good start," Van Gaal concluded.