Van Gaal Provides Tactical Clue

Louis van Gaal believes his Manchester United side must match FC Midtjylland's diagonal pressing in order to overwhelm the Europa League opponents at Old Trafford.

The Danish champions lead 2-1 from last Thursday's first leg and are likely to defend in numbers in the reverse fixture as they bid to pull off the biggest result in the club's short history.

After Midtjylland's tactical organisation helped smother the Reds in Herning, van Gaal is confident United's class will tell in front of the Old Trafford faithful after analysing the opponents carefully.

"Of course, for them, it's the match of the year but we have to beat them," the boss told MUTV ahead of kick-off. "They’re a difficult squad. The media are saying it’s a weak squad but the figures and the data says that they have always won against English opponents. They have very good defensive organisation and they are doing that with diagonal pressing, and I want us to do that also."

When asked if the visitors will 'park the bus' and pack the defence, van Gaal replied: "Yes, I think so. Every opponent does that at Old Trafford and I think they shall do that."