Van Gaal: No Choice But To Rotate

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal expects it will be necessary to rotate his squad during the Christmas run of fixtures, even if that will be problematic because of injuries.

After Saturday's trip to Aston Villa, the Reds face four games in 10 days, beginning with Newcastle on Boxing Day and ending with the FA Cup tie at Yeovil on 4 January.

Van Gaal is new to the Barclays Premier League’s congested schedule at this time of year but says rest and rotation are the only ways to deal with it, provided he has enough players at his disposal.

The Dutchman told MUTV: "It [rotation] is probably a solution for that problem, because a lot of matches in so few days is, in my opinion, ridiculous.

"That is why I think I have to rotate, but then the players have to be fit and not every player is fit with us."

Asked if he had a special programme to manage the load, the boss continued: "Rest, only rest – that is what we shall do.

"We have to play these two matches [Newcastle on 26 December and Tottenham on 28 December] and that is normal in the Premier League. I cannot change that."

Van Gaal has already used Under-21s fixtures to give valuable match practice to players who are returning to fitness, notably Michael Carrick and Jonny Evans. But what about when there are no reserve games?

"You have to train," he said. "You can simulate the matches but it is more difficult; it takes more time and it is better to play matches in the second team. But also, I give them minutes in the first-team squad in the Premier League."

The versatility of several players has been vital to managing the injury absences in the team this season. Antonio Valencia has played across midfield and in defence, while Wayne Rooney featured in midfield against Liverpool.

Asked if the captain would take up that deeper role more often in future, van Gaal replied: "It is dependable on how the balance in the team is. I need balance in the team. We have won six times in a row and that is because of the balance, I think.

"I don’t know if I shall use him always because it is also dependable on the form of the strikers, because he is a very good striker.

"I can use him in different positions and I like that because I like multifunctional players. I normally buy more multifunctional players than specialist."