Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown has uncovered the secret behind Louis van Gaal's rejuvenation of Manchester United - LONG BALL football. Keown wrote in the Daily Mail: "Louis van Gaal has Manchester United doing something that none of the other top teams are - playing long balls.

"Time and time again his central defenders will bypass the midfield and aim straight for the front and I applaud it.

"Van Gaal is playing to his strengths. His best outfield players are Angel di Maria, Wayne Rooney, Radamel Falcao, Robin van Persie and Juan Mata and he needs to get them on the ball as much as possible. There is no real need to pass through the compartments, especially when Michael Carrick is the only conventional midfielder in his team.

"Being direct gets his danger men on the ball in danger areas. It happened time after time against Tottenham Hotspur so it is no surprise that only Burnley have played more long balls this season."