Louis van Gaal is not the first Manchester United manager to make reference of his backside, with Sir Alex Ferguson coining the Phrase “squeaky bum time” to describe the run in for the league title.
The Dutchman meanwhile was responding to media criticism of his favourite 3-5-2 formation that stymies the reams attacking flair.
He said that the team is still not comfortable with his system, but thinks it provides a better balance while promoting a more solid defence.
“I know the stats show positive results with the 4-4-2 system. We have won more playing 4-4-2, with a midfield diamond, but when you analyse the games – like West Ham at home – we have twitched our a*** on the bench.
“I said to my players I was squeezing my a*** but it was the wrong expression. I have twitched my a*** on the bench because we were out of balance – and I don’t like that.
“After I switched the system [to 3-5-2] we have lost only one match in the last 13 – and that was undeserved – so the discussion about which is the best system is ridiculous.”
Despite the good results LVG admits it is still a work in progress as he experiments with different formations, while also putting players in unfamiliar positions.
“They are still not comfortable,” he added. “I would like them to feel more comfortable and it is important that they are. But we are having to do our preparation during the season because we did not have enough time in pre-season, so we are doing a lot of things during matches.
“Up to now I am pleased and we are going in the right way.”
The former Barcelona man also insists that he will not be swayed by the fans or media. “I cannot listen to what people are saying or writing because they are not at the training ground or in our [team] meetings,” he said.
“I have to observe and analyse my players as well as the quality of our opponents and then I have to make a decision with my staff. I can’t take into account 600million opinions.”
