“I am the most flexible manager you can imagine. When the players are coming with good arguments, I change my opinion.” He listens to players? “Yes.”
On tactics? “Yes. They need to have very good arguments. It is not so easy to convince me - that’s true. But when you convince me I change my opinion.”
Did United’s players convince him to abandon three at the back? “Three in the back, no. Most of the players here think the manager is deciding that (change). I ask also the players which system they want to play. And then I ask individual players: ‘What’s your favourite position?’ First they don’t want to answer but now they are more open, and they answer.” Do they all say 4-4-2? “No. The fans are shouting it. I have played it but that was to do with accidental circumstances.
“The system we play now is the system that I prefer, that I have played everywhere. Yesterday (against Spurs) is my preferred system. When it is needed, then I play with five at the back. Yesterday was 4-3-3 when we had the ball. For example, Juan (Mata) more inside and (Ashley) Young outside. When we defend it was more 4-1-4-1 yesterday. Next game is different.”
· 
Manchester United Supporters' Association Vol. 123
