Manchester United transfer news: Louis van Gaal prefers to sign versatile players says Quinton Fortune

Former Manchester United midfielder Quinton Fortune is one funny guy. The South African was recently in India – as part of a fan-focused event held by the Red Devils – and caused a riot in the southern city of Bangalore, when he along with Dwight Yorke and Old Trafford supporters watched United defeat Liverpool 1-0 at Anfield on 18 January.

IBTimes UK caught up with the quick-witted 38-year-old, who spoke at length about how his former team can progress in the Premier League and enhance their level of performance. He claimed that Louis van Gaal prefers to bring versatile players over those who are capable of playing in one position.

Sighting examples of Ashley Young, Daley Blind, Ander Herrera, Marouane Fellaini, Matteo Darmian, Wayne Rooney and Anthony Martial, he said that these are players in the squad that are versatile.

Fortune has himself played under Sir Alex Ferguson for seven years in various positions. When asked how he managed to adapt, he laughed and said, "I just loved playing football." This is one reason why he was a utility man for the Red Devils.

"I think they have got Ashley Young, who is playing right wing, left wing, right-back and left-back. You got Daley Blind, who plays in the midfield and in two defensive positions. Wazza [Rooney] can play midfield, behind the striker and also as a main man. There you go, we have a few of them already," he said in an exclusive interview.

"I think from his style of football, he likes players to be able to play in many positions. So it's good because what he's brought into the team are numerous questions in terms of tactics, asking players to play in different positions.

"So he tests the players in terms of their abilities and if they have been able to deal with the different kind of formations, those players fit into Van Gaal's team. All these [versatile players] take to be successful, but it takes time because players are not used to that style of play," the former United player added.

Since Ferguson retired in 2013, United have struggled to replicate the form which they showed under the Scot. The Old Trafford club are fifth in the league with 37 points, having scored 28 goals in the process. Fortune further warned that United will bounce back from this difficult period, once they improve their goalscoring record.

"So far United dominated a lot of the games in terms of possession, but obviously we need a lot more goals. As soon as that clicks, with the possession and attacking side, we are going to be amazing," he concluded.