Burnley manager Sean Dyche believes it will take time for Manchester United to adapt to Louis van Gaal's 3-5-2 formation because it is so "radical."
Van Gaal takes United to Turf Moor on Saturday hoping to win his first match at the fourth time of asking against Dyche's winless Clarets.
Failure to do so would provide further gloom around Old Trafford, with the initial optimism which surrounded Van Gaal's appointment quickly dissipating following defeats to Swansea and MK Dons and a draw at Sunderland last Sunday.
Dyche does not subscribe to the theory that United are in turmoil, though, and insists it will take time for players to get to grips with their Dutch manager's ideology.
"I think the word 'crisis' is harsh looking at their players," said Dyche.
"They've got some fine players. With tactical formats, I do think the 3-5-2 is the most radical change so it takes time for that to work. The power of Manchester United and the market means he may have ideas and designs over the next few days to get certain players who can do roles he feels that are not being done as well.
"I don't know him, I've never worked with anyone who knows him. It will be interesting to have a coffee with him and ask him (about 3-5-2).
"I don't know whether I'd get that chance but I would be interested in that. I'm a young manager learning and I'm always interested to hear what they have to say. If we do get that time I will ask him.
"From the outside it looks like he's strong in that philosophy, he believes it can work and he's going to mould the team accordingly and possibly add to it as he sees fit."
United smashed the British transfer record to sign Argentina forward Angel di Maria for £59.7million from Real Madrid earlier this week, but it remains to be seen which position Van Gaal will utilise him in at Turf Moor.
"It would be brilliant if he plays on the bench or in the stand," joked former Watford boss Dyche.
"He's a fine player. It's very rare that astronomical fees are paid for players that are not at the top end of the market. I think he could fill a number of positions.
"Who knows? He might have one up his sleeve where he changes. He might feel that tactically it's time to change or it's appropriate for this game.
"It's a new face, a new player, someone who can operate wide and can operate in other positions. He might feel it's time to go 4-3-3, which is particularly a Dutch way, unless he is true to his word and is sticking to this philosophy no matter what."
This particular fixture evokes positive memories for Clarets fans, who toasted a 1-0 win over the then champions in 2009.
Michael Duff, a 36-year-old defender, is the only survivor in today's squad, but Dyche has this week had plenty of reminders of the night Robbie Blake's volley tamed Sir Alex Ferguson's men.
"The group of players is considerably different but around the town various people I bump into mention it," Dyche added.
"It's a marker, one of the many for this club, but that's all it is. We know the game's changed since then, it's moved on. They're another powerful team, a powerful club coming to Turf Moor and it's great for us, the town and the club."
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