Van Gaal Explains Fellaini Selection

Louis van Gaal has explained his decision to play Marouane Fellaini in attack after the Belgian was involved in two of Manchester United's three goals against Cambridge United.

Fellaini caused problems throughout the match with his aerial presence. Notably, a far-post header by the 27-year-old created Juan Mata's opener and the Belgian's deflected shot then allowed Robin van Persie to tee up Marcos Rojo as the Reds built a commanding first-half lead - later built upon by a James Wilson strike.

After failing to break down Cambridge in the first tie at the Abbey Stadium, the policy of having another route to goal paid off against the League Two side at Old Trafford.

"With Fellaini, we have always also an attacking point through the air," van Gaal told MUTV. "Cambridge have very tall players and we could score also in the air and not only along the floor. That was our game plan and he [Fellaini] confirmed that [his aerial prowess] again.

"I think we could have scored more goals. In the second half, we played a little bit more forward and I believe we created more chances. Robin van Persie had four possibilities so we could have scored more but I am very happy the first chance of the match, for Cambridge, was against the post."