Last year, Koeman pushed an unfancied young Feyenoord side to second place, just four points off the title, playing a 5-3-2 formation with attacking wing backs. Van Gaal's Dutch World Cup team also opted for this same system, utilising Feyenoord's defensive talent Daryl Janmaat, Stefan de Vrij and Bruno Martins Indi to strong effect in progressing to the semi-finals. In England, however, while Van Gaal has tried to impose this same tactic on Man United, his former protégé has proved more willing to adapt his new club's style of play in smaller ways. Throughout pre-season and the early matches of the regular season, Van Gaal has tried to force United into an unfamiliar shape to suit his preferred tactics rather than those that the team are at all familiar with. As a result the defence have looked tactically naïve and often out of position. The players have not appeared to know what space to be in, when to move forward and when to defend. The last two games have seen Van Gaal switch to a back four, but the defence still appears uncomfortable with their manager's tactical demands. Koeman, on the other hand, arrived in Southampton promising to maintain the stylish football the club had played under Pochettino, something that helped him win around the fans. He has largely continued to set up with the 4-3-3 shape used last season with Pelle in place of Lambert as the big centre forward, wingers either side and Schneiderlin as the hub of the midfield. However, he has adapted the team's tactics in subtler ways to create a successful fusion of the way Saints know how to play and the way Koeman wants them to play. Last year's high tempo, high pressing line has gone as it required the incredible fitness levels Pochettino demanded. Instead this year's Saints have tended to sit back a little more and hit the opposition on the counter attack. It's a small tactical change compared to the revolution Van Gaal is attempting and failing at Old Trafford, but it's effects are noticeable. Saints are making more successful tackles this year and, even without Lovren, the defence looks solid. It is, of course, still early in the season and these are very much first impressions. Van Gaal's players could yet adapt to his tactics, while Koeman's teams a bad record of starting the season far more strongly than they end it. For the time being, though, whatever the younger Dutchman is doing on the South coast is working far better than his compatriot in the North.
