Falcao omission tactical – LVG

LOUIS van Gaal admitted the decision not to include Radamel Falcao in his squad was a tactical one as Manchester United drew a blank against Southampton.

United failed to register a single shot on target as they lost 1–0 and surrendered third place in the table to the Saints, who won their first game at Old Trafford in 27 years.

Van Gaal selected Angel di Maria up front alongside Robin van Persie and shifted Wayne Rooney forward after the former Arsenal striker suffered an ankle injury.

Falcao’s absence raised eyebrows, but the United boss insisted he needed cover for other positions and defended his choice to drop the 28 year old.

“As a coach you have to look at your game plan,” he said. “We have a lot of players who are coming back and Falcao has played the last five matches in a row.”