Liverpool hero Graeme Souness has warned new Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal that it might take a long time for his new 3-5-2 system to pan out at Old Trafford, as reported by the Evening Express.

The Old Trafford club’s opening three games of the new season have seen them fail to record a victory, despite massive optimism around the team during pre-season.

The lowest point of Van Gaal’s regime thus far came in the huge 4-0 loss to League One side MK Dons in the second round of the League Cup, with Man Utd’s inexperienced side suffering horribly in the face of pressure from the lower division side.

There has been constant criticism of Van Gaal’s insistence on playing the 3-5-2 that served him well at the World Cup. The Dutch manager led the Netherlands to the semi-finals, but it is doubtful that he now has the players with which to play the system. Most defenders in the Man Utd squad are seemingly finding it very difficult to transition to a three man defence.

Souness said: “If Van Gaal is determined to persist with a back three, this is going to be a long and painful transition for United.

“The team may take until November to settle down. You ain’t going to win the league if you take that long and you might not make the Champions League places either.

“United have already dropped seven points from a possible nine. If you continue with three at the back and the results are not improving players will not be slow in turning round and pointing their fingers at the coach, saying, ‘It’s not that I am not playing well, it’s the system’.”