Van Gaal says he will not rush to make signings at Manchester United
The Dutchman adds that is he yet to fully assess his new squad of players and won’t be rushed into making changes.
For the opening two matches of their pre-season north American Tour, van Gaal says he opted for a system best suited to the players at his disposal – which is why wingbacks played a prominent role against LA Galaxy and Roma.
Talking about his squad, van Gaal said: “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.”
One of Van Gaal's challenges in his new role is to get the best out of Wayne Rooney, Juan Mata and Robin van Persie, three players seen as crucial to their hopes of improving on last season's seventh-place Premier League finish under former manager David Moyes.
"That is one argument why I chose this system. I can play them all - that is important," Van Gaal added. "With the quality of the squad I choose this system.
"But don't forget all the others. Javier Hernandez can play in the striker's position, Danny Welbeck can, maybe Will Keane also. He can develop himself.
"Rooney can play at 10 and nine. He said to me he can also play seven and 11. But I like him more at nine or 10."
In the 3-4-1-2 formation, two strikers are supported by an attacking midfielder, with a two-man central midfield flanked by two wing-backs ahead of a three-man central defence.
Van Gaal says he feels no pressure taking over at Old Trafford because he has had similar experiences elsewhere.
When asked was it an easy decision to become manager, he explains: “It was not an instant ‘yes’ because I had other offers also. So I had to think about it.
“But I chose ‘yes’ because of the big challenge. I have been at Ajax – the biggest club in the Netherlands – I went to Barcelona – the biggest club in Spain – and then I go to Bayern Munich, also the number one in Germany.
“So when Manchester United came I thought I had to say ‘yes’.”
As for trying to emulate Sir Alex Ferguson, he says: “I had to follow Bobby Robson at Barcelona and that year he won three titles. And I had to succeed him.
“I highly respect Sir Alex because there is not another trainer or manager who has won so many titles.
“I have won a lot of titles but he has won so many with one club and that is fantastic. So when you compare Sir Alex with me I am very proud.”
And asked how he will deal with the mind games employed by other managers in the Premier League – namely Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho – van Gaal explained: "I don't think I will fall out with him. He is my friend.
"I don't think I will fall out with all the other managers. I have full respect for all of my colleagues.”
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