Van Gaal Explains Di Maria's Recent Role

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has revealed his thinking behind playing Angel Di Maria in a more advanced forward position recently.

The Argentinian attacker has taken up a second striker role in the last two games, alongside Robin van Persie at home to Southampton and Radamel Falcao away at QPR.

Van Gaal says Di Maria's quality allows him to play in a number of positions across the forward line and believes his pace is key to helping the Reds unlock opposition defences.

"He played in the 4-4-2 in the left midfield position, but in the 3-5-2 he does not play so much because he has been injured," van Gaal told reporters on Friday.

"Then he came back and I tried him as a striker because we also need pace in that position. We have to stretch the pitch – that is an important aspect of a striker, that he can stretch the pitch. Then you make the pitch bigger and your midfielders can play in a bigger space and play a better positional game than ever.

"So I tried that – I had to try it because I didn't have the preparation at the beginning of the season [Di Maria joined in late August]."

The Reds bounced back from defeat to Southampton earlier this month – United's only loss in the last 13 games – with a solid victory at QPR last weekend. Van Gaal insists there is still room for improvement but is satisfied with the recent progress made by his side.

"It is very important that the players are comfortable. I would like them to feel more comfortable, but we have to do our preparation in the season so we are doing a lot of things during the matches," he explained.

"Of course it is very important to win all your games but that is not possible in the Premier League. We have had a fantastic run of results, though, except Southampton at home, and up to now I am pleased. We are going the right way."