"Manchester United's squad broken and unbalanced" - Van Gaal

Louis van Gaal has claimed he has inherited a 'broken team' at Manchester United.

The Dutch coach is three weeks away from the start of the Barclays Premier League season and is hurriedly trying to impose his beliefs and philosophies on a squad that finished seventh under David Moyes last May.

Asked if he was taking over at Old Trafford at a good time, Van Gaal said: 'No. I don't agree. I had to follow Bobby Robson at Barcelona the year after he won three titles and there wasn't a problem.'

When there is success you have a very good squad, and now I have to follow and the squad was broken I think.

'It is not in balance. It's more difficult to succeed in a difficult situation than in a fantastic situation.'

Van Gaal also insisted he will not be forced into panic buys as he settles down in his new job.

The Dutchman hasn't yet looked at his squad fully to assess his assets, but will not buy for the sake of it.

United have not opened talks with Juventus over Arturo Vidal but remain keen on Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen and Roma midfielder Kevin Strootman.

Van Gaal has opted for a wing-back system against LA Galaxy and Roma, which is more suited to the players at his disposal in the USA.

And he told Sky Sports: ‘I don’t buy players for the sake of it. I buy players to improve my selection.

‘First, I must see what I need in all the positions from the system we shall play and, at this moment, I don’t know for sure.

‘That’s why I chose this system, I can play them all. But (Javier) Hernandez can also play in the striker’s position, so can (Danny) Welbeck.

‘Rooney can play at No 10 and No 9 and he tells me he can also play at No 11 and No 7, but I prefer him at 9 or 10.

‘When you look at the quality of your players – you see Rooney, Van Persie, Hernandez, Mata, Welbeck, (Marouane) Fellaini, (Ander) Herrera a lot of players can play this system.

‘So with this system, two strikers can play, the No 10 can play, two midfielders can play, so the specialists become the wingbacks.’